Management
Lawmaker looks to shake up VA’s software management
Legislation from Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., prioritizes waste reduction when it comes to the roughly $1 billion that VA spends annually on software assets.
Management
Fallout from DOGE cuts: How defunding derailed a federal microgrant strategy
COMMENTARY | Several presidents have criticized the complexities of the federal grants process, but DOGE cuts to the Justice Department have made the process worse for local law enforcement rather than helping.
Workforce
Ethics agency spells out holiday do’s and don’ts for federal employees
Ethics rules generally prohibiting government workers from giving presents to their bosses or accepting gifts from non-governmental organizations are particularly relevant around the holidays.
Tech
After shedding thousands of feds, Trump admin's new 'Tech Force' aims to recruit workers to two-year jobs
Some of the recruits to government service will be on leaves of absence from private sector companies while working for government — a setup that raises ethical questions about conflicts of interest.
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Workforce
TSA plans to bust labor union despite court order blocking it
The Trump administration’s efforts to unwind collective bargaining for airport security screeners have been blocked since June, when a federal judge found the initiative was aimed at “punishing” the nation’s largest federal worker union.
Management
USDA received overwhelmingly negative feedback on its reorg plan from employees, lawmakers and locals governments
The department solicited comments and those who wrote in said a potential exodus of staff and loss of local interaction would prove harmful to farmers.
Tech
White House instructs agencies to stop using ‘biased’ AI
The Office of Management and Budget clarified the steps agencies will have to take to ensure their contracted large language models do not produce “woke” outputs.
Sponsor Content
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Oversight
Some indoor federal gun ranges are operating under unsafe conditions due to lack of oversight, watchdog reports
General Services Administration employees interviewed for the investigation reported issues gathering necessary information, in part, due to workforce reductions at the agency.
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Defense
There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it
The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.
Oversight
Exit interview: GAO’s Gene Dodaro talks impoundments, tenure and retirement priorities
The outgoing comptroller general reflects on leading the agency through national crises, building a skilled workforce and guiding federal oversight before his term ends Dec. 29.
Management
Major meeting on FEMA overhaul recommendation suddenly shelved
The scheduled gathering of the FEMA review council was supposed to include "a public vote on the draft final report" outlining recommendations about the future of the federal agency, but was abruptly canceled Thursday.
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FUND
G
F
C
S
I
DEC 15 CLOSE
$19.5520
$20.8118
$109.0104
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$54.7660
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1.69
FUND
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F
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Workforce
House passes bill nullifying Trump’s anti-union EOs
Twenty Republicans crossed party lines to support legislation to unwind what opponents described as the largest act of “union busting” in U.S. history.
Workforce
Bipartisan leaders push suicide prevention program, more mental health support for DHS law enforcement
Suicides within and assaults against the DHS law enforcement have been increasing, lawmakers say.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s retirement application pile remains large as the year draws to a close
New retirees awaiting full benefits may face holiday heartache as the backlog swelled to nearly 50,000 by the end of November.
Management
Bipartisan, bicameral bill looks to help the government hire more AI talent
The proposal follows the exodus of hundreds of thousands government employees — including AI and tech talent — under the Trump administration’s push to shrink the government workforce.
Workforce
FBI agents fired over 2020 protest actions sue for reinstatement
A dozen former FBI agents said their decision to kneel while responding to 2020 protests against police brutality was a tactical one, required as the result of the first Trump administration’s decision to deploy federal agents without crowd control equipment or training.
Workforce
New podcast spotlights stories of historical postal employees, offering a ‘playbook’ for defending public institutions
“People of Agency” recounts the history of the U.S. Postal Service by focusing on civil servants who have shaped the agency.
Workforce
OPM says 92% of fed departures this year were voluntary. Those who left disagree
Staff only left "the most amazing job I could ever have" under significant pressure, former federal employees said.
Management
OMB, OPM pitch new governmentwide HR system
A joint memo from OMB Director Russ Vought and OPM Director Scott Kupor Wednesday laid out plans to encompass all federal HR management data into a single technology platform by fiscal 2028.
Management
Lawmakers seek details behind SSA plan to slash office visits
Nextgov/FCW first reported the agency’s intention to reduce field office visits last week.
Pay & Benefits
More Border Patrol supervisors could become eligible for overtime pay
Under the Border Patrol Supervisors Retention Act, managers and senior agents up to GS-15 could receive a 50% overtime payment currently limited to GS-12s.
Management
Trump administration plans to end prison rape protections for trans and intersex people, memo says
A Justice Department memo obtained by Prism says certain standards under the Prison Rape Elimination Act do not align with Trump’s January 20 anti-trans executive order.
Management
States urge more federal coordination amid growth of new aviation options
Advanced air mobility promises air taxis, delivery planes and others in the nation’s skies. Leaders said while the FAA must lead on airspace management, it must listen to those on the ground.
