As the snow falls in Washington, folks are carefully hanging stockings, putting ‘elfs on the shelf,’ and apparently kicking legislative activity into high gear. Perhaps most pressing is avoiding another government shutdown--but a defense authorization agreement and a slew of tech legislative bills are also in the mix.
Rumors are House Budget Chairman Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Chair Murray (D-WA) are close to a deal to that lays out a way to fund federal agencies through FY 2014 and avoid yet another government shutdown. Don’t expect big things such as tax reform, or even more moderate goals such as lifting sequestration. That said, the agreement is expected to provide a path forward that can pass both chambers. More here.
Here’s what else Uncle Sam is cooking up for the holidays...
Key Takeaway:
House Energy & Commerce Showing Major Signs of Life
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has jumped to the forefront of tech and telecom policy over the past week, starting with an announcement that Chairman Upton (R-MI) and Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Walden (R-OR) intend to “examine and update the Communications Act” over the next few years. The goal is to reform the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which is showing its age after 15-plus years of dramatic growth in wireless and internet communications. Expect the IP-transition, media ownership, privacy, and a slew of other issues to be up for debate. For more, see the committee press release here.
In the more immediate future, the committee has announced it will take up two bipartisan bills. The Federal Spectrum Incentive Act, authored by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Doris Matsui (D-CA), creates a process for federal agencies to receive a portion of net auction revenues when relinquishing spectrum. This should encourage federal agencies (who hold significant amounts of valuable and underutilized spectrum) to release more of its holdings. Also, the committee announced Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act will be amended by nature of a substitute, co-sponsored by Chairman Walden (R-OR) and Ranking Member Eshoo (D-CA), and provide modest FCC Reform. Changes include requiring the Commission to put in place non-binding timelines and report to Congress on those timelines, as well as transparency measures.
Other Buzz:
NIST Framework comments due Friday
Mark your calendar! Comments on the Preliminary Cybersecurity Framework are due this Friday, December 13. The framework provides a way for critical infrastructure providers in both the public and private sector a means to assess their cyber risk, and create a better picture of the cybersecurity landscape throughout an organization. For more, visit NIST’s website here.
Defense Authorization Could Have Implications for Guard Cyber Units
Senate and House Armed Services Committee members are confident they have put together a sound bipartisan deal to authorize $607 billion in defense spending for 2014. NASCIO is awaiting confirmation on bill language, but it could have implications for the use of national guard units in cyber warfare and defense. The bill is up against a difficult end-of-year deadline and must pass muster in both chambers--a high hurdle in a contentious legislative environment.
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