Management
Contractors Applaud House Vote to Kill Obama Fair Pay, Safe Workplace Rule
They cite "burdensome" paperwork and "blacklisting" of firms with past labor law violations.
Nextgov
How Feds Can Use Encrypted Apps—Without Breaking the Law
The use of encryption technologies to communicate with peers is undoubtedly safer than using traditional communications, but there are caveats for federal employees.
Oversight
The Obama-Trump Truce Is Already Over
Previous presidents—including Barack Obama and George W. Bush—tried to avoid publicly criticizing each other. That tradition is coming to an end.
Management
How Trump Is Changing Immigration Enforcement
The president’s directive on immigration might resemble the record deportations of Obama’s first term—but without the corresponding push for legalization.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Prays For The Terminator
President Donald Trump has some words for Arnold Schwarzenegger at the National Prayer Breakfast.
Route Fifty
Delaware Corrections Officer Dies in Prison Standoff; Oregon’s Potential Pension Reforms
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Wyoming budget cuts; Alaska’s potential major gas tax hikes; and Texas, Florida legislation targets sanctuary cities.
Management
The Underrated Art of Persuasion
With business leaders (and others), Trump needs to try a new tactic.
Management
Trump’s Agency Gag Orders Draw Bipartisan Criticism
House hearing on whistleblower law produces consensus on White House missteps.
News
Congressman: Career Feds ‘Soak Off the Lifeblood of the American People’
Georgia Republican says Trump administration has backed his plan to ease federal firing.
Nextgov
OPM Cybersecurity Hearing Devolves into Russia Hacking Squabble
Rep. Stephen Lynch wants the House oversight committee to investigate the election hacks, but Chairman Jason Chaffetz says that’s outside the committee’s jurisdiction.
Management
Taxpayers Are Having an Easier Time Getting Through to IRS Call Centers
Watchdog report also cites progress curbing I.D. theft.
Management
Trump VA Nominee Will Push For More Flexibility to Hire and Fire
Dr. David Shulkin said he would work with Congress on greater workforce accountability measures, but also on recruitment and retention efforts.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Raise Considerations
The 2017 increase is in effect. Have you considered boosting your retirement savings?
Management
Trump OMB Nominee Clears Two Senate Panels Along Party Lines
Republicans portray Rep. Mulvaney as passionate, but Dems reject his past "brinksmanship."
Management
Defense Spells Out Broad Swath of Civilians Exempt From Hiring Freeze
Department acknowledges impact, but calls freeze an opportunity.
Management
VA Nominee Leaves Door Open For More Hiring Freeze Job Exemptions
Dr. David Shulkin said he would seek more waivers from the White House if the claims backlog starts to spike.
Management
Charted: Donald Trump’s Recent Flurry of Phone Calls With World Leaders
Trump spent more than twice as long with leaders of Saudi Arabia and Russia than one of the U.S.'s closest allies, Australia.
Defense
Some DHS Employees Are Suspicious of ‘Extreme Vetting’
The Department of Homeland Security has 30 days to figure out what "extreme vetting" means. Some DHS officials and counterterrorism experts find the concept dubious.
Management
Northrop Scratch-Built a Jet to Bid on an Air Force Contract. Now It’s Dropping Out.
The decision leaves three, or maybe four, potential bidders on the 350-plane T-X program.
Oversight