Management
Government service delivery needs standard definitions, former government tech leaders say
A new proposal urges Congress to align common definitions across federal programs, arguing the current patchwork creates administrative burdens and complicates service delivery.
Workforce
As USDA relocation deadlines near, employees say questions remain unanswered
Employees say they still lack key details about exemptions, moving costs and next steps as USDA continues issuing relocation notices.
Management
Suit alleges DHS targeted people observing and protesting immigration agents
Plaintiffs allege the department used technology to identify immigration observers before retaliating against them, including by revoking TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits.
Workforce
Federal employees say they’ll quit if they have to move to New Jersey
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to reconsider the planned move of local offices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Oversight
Bill aims to end blocked congressional access at federal buildings
A new bill would set governmentwide rules for congressional visits after disputes over access to agencies and immigration detention centers.
Pay & Benefits
NARFE still has concerns with OPM’s plan to collect employee health care records
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management sought to assuage concerns about its request for claims-level data on federal workers’ health insurance usage. Employee groups say it’s still not enough.
Management
Attorney general nomination faces another week of scrutiny
The postponed Judiciary Committee vote gives senators more time to scrutinize Todd Blanche's record and leaves questions about key Republican support unresolved.
Tech
Selective Service System seeks software to aid the draft
If the military draft were to ever come back, this software would be used to quickly evaluate staffing and resource requirements.
Management
USPS nominations test the future of bipartisan boards
Federal law requires that no more than five members of USPS’ Board of Governors be from the same political party. The Trump administration has only submitted Republican nominees so far.
Updated
Management
Trump appointees confirmed by the Senate are exiting their jobs in record numbers, report finds
The Partnership for Public Service also reported that the president is making a historically low number of nominations.
Pay & Benefits
Why your retirement experience may depend more on the agency than the benefit
Federal retirees interact with OPM, the Thrift Savings Plan and Social Security at different stages of retirement. Their latest performance data reveals starkly different customer service experiences and highlights where delays remain most likely.
Tech
Russian hackers can steal government emails without victims clicking a link, cyber agencies warn
The Russia-linked Laundry Bear group has compromised more than 10 Western organizations through malicious emails that can trigger an exploit when they are viewed or previewed.
Management
As FEMA's future hangs in the balance, Senate advances nominee to lead the agency
A Senate confirmation would put a permanent leader atop the disaster agency as the administration weighs proposals to shrink its federal role.
Management
Lawmakers look to avoid government shutdown, and reconsider getting rid of them entirely
The latest proposals would change how Congress handles funding lapses and could reshape the budget fights that have repeatedly disrupted federal operations.
Oversight
Despite firings, acting IG says it’s 'the best time to be in the inspector general community' due to focus on fraud
A panel of inspectors general at a government accounting conference also discussed challenges combating technologically advanced scams and performing more proactive oversight.
Workforce
Unions ask for injunction restoring collective bargaining at Defense
The latest filing from a pair of federal employee unions highlights the ways in which the Pentagon strayed from the Trump administration’s own guidance for implementing the president’s executive order banning collective bargaining at most agencies on national security grounds.
Management
ICE ramps up arrests as deportation effort expands
New data reflects the administration's push to increase enforcement while judges continue scrutinizing some of its detention policies.
Oversight
Inspector general group would be axed under new House GOP bill
Supporters of the measure pointed to a recent Government Accountability Office report that found the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency frequently missed requirements when investigating misconduct allegations against IGs.
Management
Former Education officials warn agency transfers could undermine core functions
Officials from Republican and Democratic administrations said moving key responsibilities outside the department could create confusion and erode oversight.
Management