Management
State Department board’s ability to challenge firings undercut by DOJ
Critics of the decision say the Justice Department's opinion is another step in the Trump administration's goal of making it easier to fire federal employees who are not fully aligned with its policy goals.
Blanche is confirmed. Now Congress needs to hold him accountable
COMMENTARY | A former Justice Department staffer argues that Congress must protect whistleblowers and demand answers when the agency crosses the line.
White House space transportation policy calls for integration with air traffic control modernization
The guidance directs the Transportation Department and other agencies to “implement a plan to integrate space launch and reentry management into airspace and traffic control modernization efforts.”
House Democrats want answers on what CISA lost in workforce cuts
Lawmakers want Congress’ watchdog to assess what capabilities were lost after the cyber agency shed roughly one-third of its staff.
Trump’s FDA pick faces questions about leading the agency
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who will oversee her confirmation, says Dr. Heidi Overton’s management experience and role in the administration’s vaccine policy raise concerns.
GSA looks to ‘meaningfully increase’ hiring to replenish its workforce
Current and former GSA officials said significant hiring is needed at the Public Buildings Service to help the agency recover from last year’s deep staffing cuts.
New CDC chief looks to rebuild a workforce fearful of retaliation
On Wednesday, Dr. Erica Schwartz told staff “there is no retribution for honest thought and honest conversation” under her leadership.
Appeals court keeps limits on DHS immigration enforcement near churches
The ruling requires Homeland Security Department agents to follow the more restrictive Biden-era rules at the affected houses of worship while the case moves forward.
The CDC director’s job just got a lot more complicated
Dr. Erica Schwartz is taking over an agency facing a string of outbreaks, political pressure and deep workforce cuts. Her Senate confirmation gives Congress a new way to hold her accountable.
Plans to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building blocked by federal judge
A federal judge in Maryland ruled that the Trump administration's decision to move the FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building runs counter to spending bills passed by Congress.
USDA hasn’t looked at staff attrition ahead of relocations, but downplays its impact
Internal data shows the department is preparing for significant churn as it presses forward with office moves, raising questions about whether new staff can fill the gap left by seasoned experts.
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National crisis and support hotline operations remained consistent despite staffing cuts, watchdog found
Some staff operating mental health support hotlines at the departments of Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs were subject to reductions in force last year and have not yet been replaced.
EPA’s cancer-risk data has gone dark
The agency is still publishing air pollution data, but a key part of its analysis is missing from the latest release.
Federal agencies are looking beyond the usual sources for new ideas
NIH is offering $1 million for practical ideas that could help long-acting HIV prevention and treatment reach more people, and applicants do not need a traditional research background to participate.
NTEU sets deadline for its members to resume paying dues
The union’s deadline comes as the Trump administration has stripped collective bargaining rights from roughly two-thirds of NTEU members and disrupted its primary source of revenue.
Todd Blanche is officially the nation’s top law enforcement official
Trump’s former personal attorney takes over the Justice Department after a contentious Senate confirmation vote.
USPS seeks funding from Congress to address long-term financial issues
Postal officials warn that the agency may need to lower service standards and close "unprofitable" post offices if it doesn't get funding from Congress.
Senate clears spending measure, leaves other major bills unfinished
The chamber’s final hours before the August recess included votes on Russia sanctions and an attorney general nominee, but several high-profile measures were left unresolved.
DOGE took credit for savings that never happened, watchdog finds
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed tens of billions of dollars in savings on its infamous “Wall of Receipts,” but the Government Accountability Office found it touted savings that never happened and could not be substantiated.
What history tells us about the potential government shutdown
Kicking the funding can down the road would prevent a government shutdown during the November midterms, but a flip of either the House or Senate would increase the odds of a prolonged December shutdown.
