# Congress Introduces Federal Technology Bills

Lawmakers introduced technology bills proposing changes across federal data-center siting, VA health innovation, emerging-technology workforce development, counter-drone authority, frontier AI oversight, and space-based military data capabilities. The proposals are not enacted requirements or announced procurements, but their progress could affect federal technology programs, create new collaboration pathways at VA, and shape future testing or pilot opportunities involving the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

- Contractors serving DOI, VA, DOE, Commerce, or DoD should assess whether the proposals could affect their current or planned work, particularly data-center siting, health technology, AI, counter-UAS, and space-based data capabilities.
- The proposed VA innovation office could create a new route for technology collaboration if established; it does not currently represent an open solicitation or confirmed procurement.
- Businesses working with emerging-technology talent may find the workforce proposals relevant to future federal skills and credentialing priorities.
- Because the measures remain legislative proposals, contractors can track their progress to identify potential changes to agency authorities, requirements, and DIU testing or pilot opportunities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Policy, Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** November 14, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- U.S. Department of Defense, including the Defense Innovation Unit (DoD; DIU)
- U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)

### Key Quotes
> Like DARPA did for the Defense Department, this bill gives VA the flexibility and agency to discover the newest treatments and keep up with veterans’ changing needs.
> — Morgan McGarvey, Representative

> The Guard the Skies Act authorizes the National Guard to cooperate with state governors to counter unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats against Americans, protecting our people from harm and our infrastructure from sabotage.
> — Mike Lee, Senator

> America’s economy and national security depends on us having a deep bench of skilled, capable, and credentialed American workers.
> — Vince Fong, Representative

### Sources
- [Tech bills of the week: No data centers on public lands; Creating a VA Office of Innovation; and more - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/policy/2026/11/tech-bills-week-no-data-centers-public-lands-creating-va-office-innovation-and-more/417230) - Nextgov/FCW