Horizon cutting-room links: Friday, 6 March 2025

"CISA at a crossroads amid workforce cuts, paused partnerships," Federal News Network

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is facing significant challenges as it grapples with workforce reductions affecting a third of its employees, including senior leaders, and a halt in key partnerships. As the agency prepares for crucial upcoming deadlines, the future of its operations and ability to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure is uncertain, especially under new leadership.

• Workforce reductions: Approximately 1,000 staff members have been placed on administrative leave or resigned, marking a significant loss of personnel, including 14 senior leaders across various divisions.
• Paused partnerships: Following the termination of a key advisory council, many of CISA's engagements with industry have been put on hold, raising concerns about the agency's collaborative efforts in cybersecurity.
• Leadership challenges: Sean Plankey, the nominee for CISA director, will likely face intense scrutiny regarding workforce morale and the agency's ability to meet deadlines for new cybersecurity regulations amidst these challenges.

"FDA’s AI tool for medical devices struggles with simple tasks," NBC News

FDA is facing challenges with its new artificial intelligence tool, designed to expedite the review and approval process for medical devices. Although intended to enhance efficiency, early reports indicate that the tool, CDRH-GPT, is struggling with basic tasks and lacks essential connectivity to the agency's internal systems. This raises concerns about the readiness of AI technology in critical regulatory functions, especially in the wake of recent layoffs that have strained the FDA's resources.

• The AI tool is currently in beta testing and has significant functionality issues, including not connecting to the FDA’s internal systems or the internet, limiting its effectiveness in accessing up-to-date information.
• Experts express concern that the FDA's push to integrate AI may be premature, emphasizing that the accuracy of medical device reviews is essential for patient safety, and the technology still requires human oversight.
• Staff within the FDA report that while the concept of using AI for regulatory tasks is promising, the aggressive rollout of the tool has led to skepticism about its immediate benefits and potential impact on job security for agency employees.

"Senators fix their sights on OPM’s pay memo for political appointees," Government Executive

In a recent outcry, a coalition of Democratic senators has criticized OPM’s guidance on salary flexibility for Schedule C political appointees, arguing that it prioritizes hiring unvetted individuals at maximum federal salaries. This follows concerns about the potential undermining of the civil service system and calls for transparency regarding appointee qualifications and salary allocations. The senators' letter highlights the tension between political appointments and traditional civil service roles, emphasizing the need for oversight in the hiring processes.

• Eight Democratic senators have condemned OPM's guidance allowing agencies to offer the maximum federal salary of $195,200 to Schedule C appointees, viewing it as a means to recruit “underqualified and overpaid political elites.”
• The senators are demanding detailed information on Schedule C appointee salaries, job descriptions, and justifications for revoking agency HR authority in the hiring process, emphasizing the risks of corruption and lack of proper vetting.
• The policy has raised alarms about the Trump administration's approach to dismantling the civil service, with concerns that it favors political loyalty over professional qualifications, ultimately jeopardizing essential government services.

"Army brigade tests renewable tech in Pacific exercise," Defense One

In a groundbreaking initiative, US Indo-Pacific Command is set to leverage artificial intelligence in military operations during its annual Pacific Sentry exercise. This innovative approach aims to enhance decision-making processes by integrating AI-powered tools into strategic simulations, marking a significant shift in military preparedness amid growing tensions in the Pacific region.

• First-time use of AI tools: INDOPACOM will utilize AI-powered decision aids for the first time in its Pacific Sentry exercise, aiming to improve strategic planning and response times against simulated threats.
• Collaboration with tech firms: The Thunderforge project, developed in partnership with Scale AI, Anduril, and Microsoft, seeks to synthesize sensor data into actionable military insights, showcasing the Pentagon's commitment to integrating advanced technology in defense operations.
• Focus on speed in decision-making: As tensions with China escalate, INDOPACOM emphasizes the urgency of deploying AI to enable faster and more informed decision-making, underscoring the competitive race in military technology.

"Despite Golden Dome, Space Force budget would shrink again under 2026 spending plan," Defense One

The 2026 budget proposal from the Trump administration indicates a continued reduction in the Space Force’s funding, raising concerns among experts regarding the service's ability to fulfill its mission and maintain critical space capabilities.

• The proposed budget for the Space Force in 2026 is approximately $26.3 billion, which is about 13 percent less than the $29.4 billion requested by the Biden administration for 2025.
• Experts warn that the budget cuts could hinder the Space Force's ability to fund new missions and lead projects, including the Golden Dome missile-defense initiative, which is expected to require a substantial budget.
• The reconciliation bill currently under discussion allocates significant funding for military space activities, but uncertainty remains about how effectively these funds will be directed to the Space Force and its priorities.

"Air Force pegs cost to modify Qatar-gifted plane at ‘less than $400M’," Defense News

The Air Force estimates that modifying a luxury aircraft gifted by Qatar into President Trump's airborne command center will cost less than $400 million, a figure significantly lower than the $1 billion previously suggested by congressional democrats and aviation experts. This projection has sparked discussions about the implications of accepting such a gift from a foreign government, raising concerns over potential conflicts of interest and cost overruns.

• The Air Force Secretary, Troy Meink, stated that the modification costs include expenses already accounted for in the broader VC-25B presidential aircraft program, indicating that the actual outlay might be less than anticipated.
• The gifted aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-8, will be utilized during Trump's term and subsequently donated to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation, which adds a layer of political and ethical scrutiny to the arrangement.
• Concerns were raised by Rep. Joe Courtney regarding transparency of the actual costs associated with retrofitting the aircraft, emphasizing the need for clear communication from the Department of Defense to prevent budgetary drains.