Oversight

Supreme Court Limits President Obama's Appointment Powers

Pro forma Senate sessions can't be ignored, high court rules.

Defense

Republicans Warn Obama Doesn't Have Two Weeks to Mull Iraq

Senate hawks say the president can't afford to wait for a Pentagon assessment.

Management

Are You an Approachable Leader?

Building relationships is just as important as getting the work done.

Management

OMB Identifies More Reports No One Reads

Examples include a summary of Dog and Cat Fur Protection Act violations.

Oversight

Play of the Day: The Obama Conspiracies, Immigrant Children Edition

Who is to blame for the flood of kids crossing the border?

Retirement

Bill to change TSP auto-enrollment choice advances

A Senate panel has advanced legislation that would change federal employees' automatic enrollment in the Thrift Savings Plan from the conservative G Fund to a Lifecycle Fund matched to an employee's retirement horizon.

Pay

Panel OKs bill to reform Border Patrol pay system

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved legislation that will abolish administratively uncontrollable overtime (AUO) at the Department of Homeland Security.

Pay

Path to 1 percent pay raise unobstructed—so far

Another appropriations bill has remained silent on a federal civilian pay raise , leaving the door open for President Obama's proposed 1 percent increase to go into effect next year.

Defense One

The Military Is About to Get New Spy Glasses

The Defense Department’s new smart spectacles go beyond Google Glass. By Patrick Tucker

Pay & Benefits

Agencies, Congress Work to Ensure Government Isn’t Overpaying Employees

New interim rule reduces pay for contractors, while Congress looks to do the same for some civilians.

Pay & Benefits

Bill Allowing a 1 Percent Pay Raises Clears House Committee

Appropriations legislation does not prohibit a pay hike, meaning President Obama’s proposal could take effect.

Defense One

With 28 Days Left, What Can Congress Do?

Congress is heading out of town for the Fourth of July with less than a month of work left before November's elections. But don’t expect immediate action on crucial national security legislation. By Molly O’Toole

Management

Forget High-Tech Gizmos—the Smartest Note-Taking Technology Is Two Centuries Old

A lesson in the lost technology of shorthand

Oversight

Mike Rogers: Lawmakers Should Spend More Time in D.C.

Outgoing congressman says more district time, less committee work, diminishes expertise on important concerns.

Nextgov

IT Reform Finally Heads to Full Senate

Amended FITARA bill advances to full chamber.

Defense One

Crowd-Sourcing the Future of Iraq

A scenario experiment points to the next phase of the new Mesopotamia. By Jeffrey Itell

Pay & Benefits

Senate Panel Backs Changing TSP Default Settings to More Lucrative Funds

The legislation would automatically enroll new federal employees in a more diverse, age-appropriate retirement fund.

Management

House Committee Requires USPS to Keep Saturday Mail Delivery

Maintaining six-day delivery wins bipartisan support after subcommittee supported a potential reduction.

Nextgov

Disputed $103 Million DHS Employee Smartcard Project Falls Behind

Government attorneys reject latest protest pitting HP against contract winner XTec.

Management

Senate Panel Approves OMB Director Nomination

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan’s nomination to head the management and budget office now heads to the Senate floor.