Defense One
Shutdown Shame: Denying Troop Death Benefits
The families of U.S. troops killed in combat during the shutdown will have to wait for an end to Washington’s gridlock to get emergency death benefits. By Gayle Tzemach Lemmon
Pay & Benefits
Not All Lawmakers Are Standing With Feds by Refusing Pay
At least 16 legislators say they will keep their pay despite shutdown.
Management
Senate Panel Exposes Fraud in Social Security Disability Program
SSA's push to speed case processing blamed for lawyer, judge and doctor profiteering.
Nextgov
Why Defense CIOs Remain Furloughed
Tech shops aren’t covered by the legal interpretation that ended most DoD furloughs.
Pay & Benefits
Employees’ Furlough Fate During the Shutdown Isn't Written in Stone
Agencies can bring back furloughed employees for emergencies, though that is unlikely on a large scale at civilian agencies.
Management
Shutdown Could Hamper Inspections of Seafood Imports
Some FDA food inspectors are furloughed.
Pay & Benefits
Retirement Backlog Falls 22 Percent in September
Claims processing employees are working during the shutdown.
Oversight
House Democrats’ Discharge Petition Faces Uphill Climb
Tactic to end shutdown faces procedural roadblocks but shows political promise.
Nextgov
Shutdown Shuts Out Foreign Employees
Labor Dept.'s iCert Portal isn't accepting applications that are required for H-1B visas.
Management
Video: Does Israel Have The Answer to Resolving The Shutdown?
Suddenly parliamentary democracy doesn't sound so bad.
Nextgov
Obamacare Software Failures Confirmed
Healthcare.gov gets coding touch-ups after bugs and glitches in its first week.
Defense One
America’s Longest War
America’s longest war has become its forgotten war. If there was ever a time to pay attention to Afghanistan, it’s now. By Stephanie Gaskell
Oversight
Boehner: Not Enough Votes for 'Clean' Bill to Open Government
Democrats and some Republicans claim such a bill would pass.
Oversight
Play of the Day: We Did Stop (The Government)
It's the Republican Party, and they can do what they want to.
Oversight
Furloughed Workers Nationwide Feel the Pain of Congressional Gridlock
Public servants share stories of what citizens are missing during the shutdown.
Oversight
Will Positions Soften in Week Two of the Shutdown?
Debt limit is adding urgency to the situation.
Oversight
Republicans Downplay 'Default,' Dismiss Debt Deadline
Some GOP lawmakers say people are exaggerating the potential impact of missed payments.
Defense One
Hagel Orders Most Furloughed Civilian Employees Back to Work
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is putting most of the 400,000 furloughed civilian defense employees back to work despite the shutdown. By Stephanie Gaskell
Pay & Benefits