The Big Story 

House Republicans are pressing for a host of abortion restrictions in must-pass legislation. 

© AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Republicans have proposed measures targeting military’s reimbursement for abortion-related travel, whether Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals should provide abortions, and changes to how the abortion drug mifepristone is dispensed.

“It’s just to create division, culture, wars, etc. And they think that that’s going to distract the public from the unbelievable harm they’re doing in terms of the programmatic cuts from the services that people rely on,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, told The Hill.

The push comes as the House GOP majority has seemingly abandoned plans for any national abortion ban and faced difficulty in moving even bills that cover a much narrower scope.

That includes a measure to permanently codify and expand the Hyde Amendment, a provision that prohibits certain federal funds from being used on abortion procedures.

The bill has yet to come to the floor under opposition from moderate House Republicans.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said that while she has not read the proposed anti-abortion amendents to the National Defense Authorization Act, she warned that Republicans shouldn’t be focusing on abortion bans, especially if the policies aren’t related to the underlying legislation.

“We shouldn’t be doing anything that’s not germane. This is an issue I’ve been very vocal on,” Mace said. “We have voted on three or four or five different abortion bills or amendments so far this year, but what have we done to protect women?” 

The Hill’s Nathaniel Weixel and Aris Folley have more here. 

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The White House on Thursday released a "roadmap" laying out its step-by-step plan to implement a national cybersecurity strategy unveiled earlier this year.

© Getty Images

The Biden administration first released the highly anticipated strategy in March, focusing on several key pillars, including defending critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, disrupting and dismantling cyber crime and forging international partnerships.

The White House said the plan is the “first iteration” of its implementation plan and represents a “living document” meant to be updated annually.

It breaks down the cybersecurity strategy into 69 initiatives, specifying various deadlines for implementation over the next three years and which agency is leading each particular initiative.

“Today, the Administration is announcing a roadmap to realize this bold, affirmative vision,” the White House said in a press release.

“It is taking the novel step of publishing the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan to ensure transparency and a continued path for coordination.”

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com. 

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Rebecca Klar and Ines Kagubare — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:

Republicans ridicule, Democrats defend FTC chair on antitrust, ethics

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Google's AI supports 40 languages 

Google added new languages to its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Bard, and now supports 40 languages, Mashable reported. 

ONCD acting director will not be picked as permanent leader

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ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and The Associated Press said Thursday that they’ve made a deal for the artificial intelligence company to license AP’s archive of news stories. “The arrangement sees OpenAI licensing part of AP’s text archive, while AP will leverage OpenAI’s technology and product …

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The federal government is racing to understand the risks posed by the booming artificial intelligence (AI) industry, with both the Senate and White House convening meetings with experts.

© Greg Nash

Vice President Harris met with civil rights and consumer protection advocates Wednesday for a discussion on AI risks.

Topics ranged from risks posed to vulnerable Americans, such as seniors targeted by AI-generated scams, to potential discrimination by AI tools used during job hiring processes.

The meeting’s attendees included Center for Democracy and Technology  CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguia, AARP CEO Jo Ann Jenkins and AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. 

“We have a sense of urgency that we get in front of this issue in terms of understanding the implications so that we can work as a community of folks — private sector, public sector, nonprofits, government — to do what is in the best interest of the health and safety and well-being of the people of our country,” Harris said ahead of the meeting. 

The meeting came one day after the Senate held its first classified briefing on AI, featuring top intelligence and defense officials. 

Senators left the briefing with increased concerns posed by AI and no clear battle lines on a legislative plans to regulate the industry. 

“AI has this extraordinary potential to make our lives better,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) before pausing.

“If it doesn’t kill us first,” he added.

Read more about Harris's meeting and the Senate briefing in full reports at TheHill.com. 

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Rebecca Klar and Ines Kagubare — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:

Elon Musk launches new AI firm xAI 

Tax preparers shared personal data with Meta, Google: Senate report

Chinese hackers accessed email accounts linked to US government, Microsoft says

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Artists sue Shein over alleged algorithmic theft

Three artists are suing online retailer Shein over allegation that the company has used an algorithm to identify trending art, recreate it, and sell nearly identical copies, Gizmodo reported.  

FTC loss on Microsoft raises strategy questions

The Federal Trade Commission's loss in its bid to block Microsoft from pushing forward with its acquisition of Activision Blizzard is raising questions about FTC Chair Lina Khan's strategy, The New York Times reported. 

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Plastic surgeon who livestreamed procedures on TikTok banned from practicing medicine in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio plastic surgeon’s state medical license was permanently revoked Wednesday after a medical board determined she harmed patients while livestreaming their surgeries on the social media app TikTok. The Ohio Medical Board voted to ban Katharine Grawe — also known as Dr. Roxy in her plastic surgery practice “Roxy Plastic Surgery” and to her many TikTok followers — from ever practicing again in the state.

Teamsters president rips UPS, joins Twitter pile-on amid strike threat

The general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters hit UPS Tuesday for its “underpaid” and “overworked” employees, responding to a Twitter thread from the company about the benefits of working part time. “They’re rightfully demanding what they’re owed,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in the tweet. “It’s time for your company to do right by the #Teamsters and our members’ families. 20 days to pay up.

What Others are Reading 

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 The Big Story 

Senators will receive their first-ever classified briefing on artificial intelligence at 3 p.m. Tuesday from Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and other administration officials.  

© Greg Nash

The briefing, which comes amid growing interest among lawmakers in trying to regulate and invest in the emerging technology, will take place in the Capitol’s sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF). 

In addition to Haines, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Director of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar, Director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency Trey Whitworth and the Defense Department’s chief digital officer, Craig Martell, will also attend the briefing.  

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced the briefing in a letter to colleagues Sunday.  

Schumer informed colleagues the briefing will instruct senators on “how we’re using and investing in AI to protect our national security and learn what our adversaries are doing in AI.” 

Read more at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Rebecca Klar and Ines Kagubare — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:

Threads hits 100 million sign-ups within first week 

Louisiana judge denies DOJ motion to stay order in social media case

Sarah Silverman sues OpenAI, Meta over use of her book in training AI programs

The Refresh 

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US, EU sign deal on data transfer

The long-awaited deal will allow tech companies like Meta and Google to keep storing data about Europeans on American soil, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Ukraine delayed release of June inflation report following cyberattack

The country postponed its June inflation numbers half-an-hour after it was initially scheduled to release them, Bloomberg reported. 

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