Management
Federal acquisition rewrite leaves cybersecurity confusion unresolved
COMMENTARY | As the government overhauls its procurement rulebook, contractors are still grappling with a persistent problem that shapes how they price, plan, and perform work: what information must be protected and who is responsible for identifying it.
Director of National Intelligence office cuts reach key coordination function
A senior official was placed on leave as detailed intelligence personnel were believed to have been returned to their home agencies, part of a broader effort to shrink the ODNI.
Agencies look to AI to improve hiring and build workforce skills
The chief human capital officers also emphasized the importance of improving the skillset of the mid-career workforce.
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A plan to dismantle DHS is moving from idea to legislation
In an interview, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., explains how her proposal to break up DHS would reorganize the department's major components into standalone entities with greater independence.
Postal Service faces backlash over voter data rule tied to mail ballot delivery
A proposed USPS requirement linking ballot delivery to state voter lists raises questions about agency authority, legal exposure and operational feasibility ahead of a high-volume election cycle.
Space Force acquisition nominee faces ethics scrutiny over defense industry ties
The request would tighten post-government employment limits and recusal requirements for Erich Hernandez-Baquero, a former Raytheon executive nominated to a senior Space Force acquisition role.
Inside the Ford White House years that shaped Alan Greenspan’s idea of public service
Greenspan is remembered for defining an era at the Federal Reserve, but colleagues point to his earlier experience in the Ford administration as the moment he first learned what public service demands inside government, and how economic judgment shifts once it meets political reality.
Federal acquisition overhaul moves from plan to proposed rules
The long-awaited rewrite effort is entering its next phase, with changes affecting everything from contract protests to security requirements.
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.
Interior’s use of park fee revenue raises questions over federal funding rules
Lawmakers are seeking details on whether National Park Service visitor fees and pass revenue are being redirected under existing authorities, highlighting how discretionary funds are allocated across competing maintenance and capital priorities.
Intelligence director hearing cancelled as Trump pushes for controversial voter bill
The development guarantees that Bill Pulte — whose selection to temporarily lead the office derailed a recent FISA vote — would start as acting national intelligence director on Friday.
Education's latest handoff tests the limits of its downsizing strategy
The department says services and protections won't change as HHS and DOJ take on larger roles. Critics aren't convinced.
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GOP’s VA overhaul bill narrows some employees’ rights, spurs privatization, union says
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act also would cut some vets’ disability benefits and push the Veterans Affairs Department to bring back telework in some form.
Federal agencies are getting more attention on social media — and more criticism
Federal accounts are generating far more engagement on X than they did in the final year of the Biden administration, according to new research.
The federal government has a major blind spot in how it evaluates programs
COMMENTARY | Decades of design flaws have left agencies struggling to measure the impact of their major initiatives. It is time to move beyond compliance and build real, durable capacity.
Can a championship run teach us something about government?
COMMENTARY | We spend a lot of time looking for shortcuts, but the most meaningful progress in federal service — like in sports — requires something more durable than a quick win.
Bisignano deflects customer service questions in congressional testimony
The Social Security commissioner frequently tried to shout over Democratic lawmakers during the occasionally raucous hearing.
Why Congress separated immigration funding from oversight
After negotiations over enforcement restrictions collapsed, lawmakers approved $70 billion, funding that will give the Trump administration resources to continue its immigration crackdown through nearly the end of the president's second term.
After year of pushing employees out, OPM embraces familiar recruiting playbook
In order for agencies to attain top talent, Office of Personnel Director Scott Kupor pointed to job websites specific to college students, multi-agency position postings and tech recruiting programs — all strategies that the Biden administration also employed.
GAO warns detention camp failures could become a blueprint for billions in new spending
The watchdog found contracting missteps, health lapses and oversight breakdowns at a Texas immigration facility, raising concerns as the federal government moves ahead with a far larger detention expansion.
Practical steps agencies can take to mitigate financial disclosure controversies
COMMENTARY | Decentralized handling of supplemental forms like travel reimbursements and widely attended gatherings can create ethical blind spots that bad actors can exploit.
