Oversight
Diplomats Cheer State Dept. Spending Bill That Rejects Trump Cuts
“Now is not the time for retreat,” says Foreign Service association.
Nextgov
House Foreign Affairs Leaders Push to Save State Cyber Office
A bipartisan bill would make the cyber coordinator’s office permanent and a presidential appointment.
Nextgov
Could Whale Migration Be the Key to Smarter Naval Operations?
DARPA wants to use marine life as “living sensors” in the internet of things network.
Management
The No. 1 Reason Why Your Presentation Sucks
Fear of public speaking is a sign that you’re definitely making this mistake.
Insights
Delivering Mission Mobility: Surveying Federal Security Leaders on Mobile Devices
The Defense Department, U.S. military, and Homeland Security officials increasingly use mobile devices to execute their mission, according to a recent survey. But are these devices performing at full efficiency? GBC has the sitrep.
Defense
At U.S. Nuclear Weapons Base, Mattis Signals Support for Triad
But the Defense chief stopped short of endorsing all types of new nuclear weapons in development.
Tech
This Is the Way Cassini Ends
As the spacecraft prepared to plunge into Saturn, the mission's longest-serving members remembered its years-long journey.
Management
No, the Government Doesn't Have a Problem With Murderers Getting Security Clearances
It has a recruitment problem, recent comments by a senior Defense official notwithstanding.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Testing Out the Wall
After an on-again, off-again DACA deal, there are questions about the border.
Route Fifty
Trump Administration Hosts Forum on State-Federal Relations
“Both Republican and Democratic governors’ staff, I think, appreciated the thought and effort that went into pulling it together,” said a National Governors Association staff member.
Management
Senate Skips Vote on Repealing Sequestration
Measure would have rolled back both defense and non-defense spending caps.
Pay & Benefits
Potential Benefits Cuts: Where Things Stand
A roundup of reaction to the Trump administration’s proposal to slash federal retirement benefits.
Nextgov
Divisive Anti-Sex Trafficking Bill Gets Senate Hearing
The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act aims to stop websites that facilitate human trafficking, but many critics say the bill could also curb online free speech.
Management
Appointee Watch: Nominee for FEMA's No. 2 Job Withdraws
More ambassadorial, transportation nominations announced in recent days.
Management
Ethics Office Appears to Give White House a Break
Anonymous lobbyists could now donate to Trump aides’ future legal defense funds.
Management
FEMA Maps Failed to Capture 75% of Damage in Five Previous Houston Floods
“The takeaway from this study, which was borne out in Harvey, is that many losses occur in areas outside FEMA’s 100-year flood plain.”
Nextgov
Here's How the Government Could Better Track Contract Spending
Lexis Nexis and the Data Foundation make a case for a decentralized but standard ID tag for all legal entities.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Loosens Emergency Withdrawal Rules for Feds Affected By Irma
This is the second time the rules have been relaxed this month.
Nextgov
Federal Trade Commission is Investigating Equifax Breach
The move follows pressure from Congress.
Management