Author Archive

Edward Graham

Edward Graham

Managing Editor, Nextgov/FCW

Edward Graham is the Managing Editor for Nextgov/FCW, where he reports on national security technologies and policies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and election security issues. He received his master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in 2016. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Edward can be securely contacted at Grahed.40 on Signal.
Edward Graham is the Managing Editor for Nextgov/FCW, where he reports on national security technologies and policies, the Department of Veterans Affairs and election security issues. He received his master’s degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in 2016. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Edward can be securely contacted at Grahed.40 on Signal.
Workforce

Pentagon closes cyber apprenticeship applications early after receiving over 15,000

A Defense Department official told Nextgov/FCW that the agency is “rolling out additional apprenticeship positions over the next few weeks.”

Tech

VA’s push to shorten benefits forms needs more public input

The Department of Veterans Affairs is asking veterans and others to weigh in on proposed changes to two lengthy applications.

Tech

HUD's tech chief appears headed for Interior

The expected pick would replace the agency's recently departed technology chief and continue a string of leadership changes.

Defense

DOD's CIO says it's time to rethink the Pentagon's technology playbook

Kirsten Davies said her office is shifting away from its traditional role as a backend policy shop to become a forward-leaning strategic unit.

Tech

Pentagon launches ‘War Force’ initiative to onboard tech talent

The new recruitment effort was started in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management and operates under that agency’s larger Tech Force program. 

Management

Lawmaker warns of administration’s ‘fetishization’ of Silicon Valley startups

Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., discussed his plans to scrutinize Trump-era contracting practices, revive federal IT oversight and push for AI policy.

Tech

Artificial intelligence is cutting months off nuclear licensing review times, official says

Basia Sall, chief data officer and deputy chief AI officer at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said on Thursday that the technology is shortening review timelines while testing how far automated tools can improve regulatory work.

Tech

FAA awards software and AI contract as part of air traffic control modernization

The agency’s contract with Air Space Intelligence includes deployment of a system that it says will serve as “the new technological backbone” of a modernized Air Traffic Control System Command Center.

Management

VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services

VA gave officials 14 days to comply with a June 12 memo that calls for facilities to take additional steps in response to previous executive orders on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Tech

Return-to-office push put GSA’s network infrastructure to the test

A recent upgrade project offers a glimpse at how one agency adapted its technology footprint as more federal employees returned to government offices.

Management

VA CIO nominee vows to create program management office

Gary Shatswell, President Donald Trump’s pick to helm VA’s IT operations, told lawmakers creating the office is “one of the first tasks that I will be going after” if confirmed to the role.

Tech

Electronic health record modernization needs better cyber and privacy collaboration, GAO says

The Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office needs to improve its interagency coordination to address potential privacy and security vulnerabilities in the new system, according to the watchdog.

Management

EPA’s research efforts are swayed by administration priorities, official says

The Environmental Protection Agency’s formerly independent research office was replaced last year by a new unit housed within the agency’s Office of the Administrator.

Oversight

GSA joins White House’s fraud prevention task force

The agency said it will support the unit’s efforts by identifying waste, fraud and abuse across government contracting programs.

Tech

OneGov AI deals are now reaching millions of federal users, GSA says

Agencies are increasingly turning to the governmentwide buying program for AI tools as officials pitch both lower costs and broader workforce adoption.

Management

White House withholds $1.3B in Medicaid payments to California amid broader fraud crackdown

Vice President JD Vance said the administration will audit states’ Medicaid Fraud Control Units and threatened to “turn off” federal funding for the watchdogs if their fraud prevention efforts are found to be deficient.

Tech

Growing agency talent is critical for modernization, Transportation’s IT head says

“When there is support and excitement, then you can do magic,” Pavan Pidugu, the Transportation Department’s chief digital and information officer, said about engaging personnel across the agency to drive meaningful IT modernization.

Workforce

FAA sets records in effort to hire gamers as air traffic controllers

The agency received over 12,000 applications in less than two days, making the effort “wildly successful,” according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Tech

AI is helping VA speed up claims processing, but Dems worry about errors

“Speed does not equal success,” Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y., said about VA’s use of automation and AI to process veterans’ benefits claims.

Tech

VA’s FY27 budget proposal seeks funding for additional AI adoption

VA’s decision intelligence and automation activities would see a 10.9% increase over FY26 enacted levels, with the growth “driven primarily by the AI Infrastructure solution.”