Workforce

The Nation’s Largest Federal Employee Union Celebrates Recent Wins, and Braces for Fights Ahead

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley says the union is prepared to defend against Republican attacks on official time and other labor policies.

Management

More Changes to Come on the ‘Made in America’ Front

President Biden announced new proposed standards during his recent State of the Union address.

Management

The White House Has a New Leader for Federal Workforce and Agency Performance Issues

Biden taps former national security official with extensive experience at outside good government groups.

Management

Inflation, Workforce Issues Challenge Defense Contractors Amid Security Pivot

The defense industrial base is facing workforce and inflationary headwinds just as the U.S. is refocusing its strategic lens on competition with China and Russia.

Nextgov

Top Senator Says Modernizing VA’s EHR 'Is Not Optional'

After leading GOP lawmakers introduced legislation to terminate the deployment of VA’s new electronic health record program, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.—chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee—said upgrading the system “has to be done.”

Breaking News Defense

US Shoots Down ‘Objects’ Off Alaska Coast, Over Canada, Lake Huron

White House was worried object on Friday posed “potential hazard to civilian air traffic.”

Management

The Challenge of Modernizing the Civil Service

What has been done over the past few years to prepare the federal workforce for the 21st century? Virtually nothing.

Workforce

Public Servants Want to Be Paid Well… And Valued

Gordon Abner joins the podcast to discuss the things that keep federal employees in their jobs.

Oversight

Era of ‘Free’ Vaccines, Test Kits, and Treatments Is Ending. Who Will Pay the Tab Now?

Insurers, employers, and taxpayers will all be affected as drug manufacturers move these products to the commercial market.

Workforce

Labor Authority Denies Union Request to Block Outside Groups from Seeking Policy Statements

The National Treasury Employees Union had sought to bar organizations that do not represent federal workers from asking the Federal Labor Relations Authority to change their policies.

Management

USPS Opens a New Line of Credit With Treasury

The Postal Service has grown its liquidity immensely, but is eligible to borrow up to an additional $5 billion.

Management

Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdog Slams Trump-Era ‘Project Airbridge’ For Medical Supplies

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.

Oversight

New U.S. House Weaponization Panel to Probe FBI, IRS, ATF

Chairman Jim Johnson called on whistleblowers from throughout federal government to come forward to share information with committee

Management

How do You Oversee Money That's Hard to Track?

The Project on Government Oversight's Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette joins the podcast to discuss how to minimize fraud in government spending.

Pay & Benefits

A Bill to Fix a Customs and Border Protection Retirement Snafu Is Revived in the Senate

More than 1,000 Customs and Border Protection officers were mistakenly promised enhanced retirement benefits, only to have them taken away once the agency realized its error.

Tech

Congress Told HHS to Set Up a Health Data Network in 2006. The Agency Still Hasn’t.

Since 2006, federal officials have been charged with setting up a network to let various parts of the U.S. health system share information during emergencies. It still hasn’t been built or even planned, even after the communication and data-sharing failures put on display during the pandemic.

Management

Federal Officials’ Plans for the Super Bowl Have Reached the End Zone

More than 600 Homeland Security personnel are providing support for this year's game.

Tech

IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-Run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers

The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.