Management
Lawmakers look to ban foreign payments to senior feds
Top federal executives would not be able to "betray the public's trust" under Democratic bill.
Defense
Meet the frustrated negotiators seeking a Gaza ceasefire
Qatar is increasingly the world’s mediator, but this is the energy-rich sheikdom’s toughest case yet.
Management
House takes a bipartisan vote to hold agencies accountable for better customer service
The measure would make improvements to an "unaccountable, antiquated and Byzantine" federal bureaucracy.
Pay & Benefits
The pitfalls of single-solution financial advisors
COMMENTARY | There is an increasing trend of companies advertising themselves as financial advisors or benefits centers targeting federal employees. Here’s how to find a holistic financial planning partner.
Management
State Department warns of significant risks due to ongoing budget pressures
State's top appropriator says he will try to make FY25 as "minimally harmful" as possible for the department, but Secretary Blinken cautions an already understaffed workforce would suffer without more resources.
Workforce
Governance experts launch a group to oppose Schedule F
The new organization hopes to offer a consensus way forward on civil service reform issues in addition to opposing efforts to politicize the federal workforce.
Oversight
Lawmakers update proposal to cut down on billions in improper payments
Agencies would be required to include details on their anti-fraud controls and fraud risk management work in annual financial reports.
Management
Biden to announce 1 million claims granted for VA benefits under toxic exposure law
The law has also led to more than 145,000 people enrolling in health care provided by the Veterans Affairs Department.
Management
FDIC chairman resigns following toxic workplace allegations
Martin Gruenberg said in a brief statement that he will remain at the agency until a successor is confirmed by the Senate, following calls from lawmakers for him to resign due to systemic harassment claims at the regulator.
Workforce
Federal agencies’ engagement and morale bounced back in 2023, according to annual rankings
The Partnership for Public Service’s annual Best Places to Work in the Federal Government report found that roughly two-thirds of federal agencies saw boosts in employee engagement and job satisfaction last year.
News
Legislation weighing contractors' national security risk heads to Senate floor
One bill would bar federal agencies from contracting with entities that consult with the Chinese government.
Workforce
Watchdog agency to crack down on Hatch Act violators, including at the White House
An "escape hatch" for those improperly engaging in political activity will now close, Office of Special Counsel says.
Management
Americans leave a huge chunk of change at airport security checkpoints − here’s what it means for the debate over getting rid of pennies
The latest TSA figure shows that during 2023, air travelers left almost $1 million in small change at checkpoints. This is roughly double the amount left behind in 2012.
Workforce
OPM announces new 'safe leave' for domestic violence victims
Federal workers may now take paid leave to address issues related to their or a family member’s safety or to recover from domestic violence, abuse or harassment, under new guidance from the government’s dedicated HR agency.
Defense
Kill the zombie Space National Guard idea
COMMENTARY | Guardsmen in space-related jobs belong in the Space Force.
Management
Congress is already clashing on FY25 funding as House proposes big cuts
Republicans are looking to ignore a deal Biden struck with them last year, while Democrats are seeking increases for federal agencies.
Management
The Biden administration seeks to speed up some asylum cases with a new immigration docket
Homeland Security and DOJ announced a similar process in 2021 where a dedicated docket applied to migrant families that arrived between ports of entry at the Southwest border.
Oversight
ICE might be incorrectly measuring its resources needs, GAO says
A new GAO report found that the office responsible for managing ICE’s budget had a staff vacancy rate of 25% in fiscal 2023.
Workforce
TSA and AFGE ink their first contract under expanded collective bargaining rules
After two decades of abridged or no collective bargaining rights, frontline Transportation Security Administration finally enjoy similar rights to their colleagues elsewhere in government.
Pay & Benefits