Management

How the president expanded his power without a government

COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers.

Workforce

SSA is denying excepted workers’ time off and telework requests, seemingly defying shutdown guidance

Though OPM guidance states that agencies should seek to accommodate the needs of excepted workers during lapses in appropriation, employees who have fallen ill or simply can no longer afford to commute without getting paid have been labeled AWOL and threatened with discipline.

Oversight

Trump fires another inspector general, raising fears about oversight independence

The White House did not provide a rationale for the removal, as required by law. The president has fired nearly 20 watchdogs since the start of his second term.

Workforce

Stop pointing fingers and put feds back to work!

COMMENTARY | The budget impasse will continue to hurt Americans as it wears on. It's time for Congress and the White House to come to the negotiating table.

Management

Senate to vote on immediately paying feds working during shutdown as funding deal remains elusive

Democrats appear to oppose the idea, while Republicans suggest a long-term stopgap bill is possible if government does not reopen soon.

Exclusive Management

House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles

A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.

Management

The shutdown isn’t hitting everyone equally. Politics and geography may help explain why

Nearly half of respondents in a recent survey said that shutdown firings of federal employees would harm their communities.

Pay & Benefits

What FEHB changes mean for your 2026 health coverage

Premiums are shifting, and the government contribution varies. Here’s what to know to avoid surprises and save where you can.

Workforce

Many federal employees bring 9 months of frustrations to ‘No Kings’ protest

Removals of government workers was one of a litany of issues brought up by attendees at the anti-Trump rally.

Workforce

‘Where is this so-called efficiency?’ Current and former FEMA employees protest Trump overhauls to disaster agency

Federal Emergency Management Agency employees who publicly signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s changes to the agency have been on administrative leave since August.

Workforce

Trump’s latest order requires strategic plans reflective of presidential ‘priorities’ to resume hiring

While experts agree that agencies should seek to address new skills gaps created by the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce, language enshrining “administration priorities” into those plans could politicize hiring of career workers.

Management

Proposed FAR changes remove contractor diversity requirements, keep disability rules

COMMENTARY | The new language follows one of President Trump’s first executive orders to eliminate diversity requirements in federal contracts.

Management

National parks, public lands feared at risk of long-term harm as shutdown drags on

National parks and other public lands remain open, but advocates and former agency employees warn that reduced staffing is putting natural resources and visitor safety at risk.

Workforce

Carpools, side jobs and food banks: How feds working through the shutdown are navigating delayed pay

Employees working without pay are worried about piling bills and distractions in jobs with no room for error.

Workforce

With funding for courts in question, Congress stuck in shutdown gridlock for day 16

The Senate ensured that the government shutdown would last into next week when it failed to pass a stopgap government spending bill for a 10th time on Thursday.

Oversight

Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group

The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Pay & Benefits

What to know when your child ages out of federal health coverage

Children can stay on a parent’s FEHB or PSHB plan until 26, but understanding the 31-day extension, conversion options and Temporary Continuation of Coverage is key to avoiding gaps.