Management
Obama 'modestly optimistic' on fiscal cliff deal
Senate leaders to work together to try to forge last-minute compromise.
Oversight
Senators pitch filibuster alternative
Bipartisan proposal would avert a showdown over the filibuster 'nuclear option.'
Management
Employees, unions get further details on furloughs
Process would not unfold immediately on Jan. 2, and would not be the same across all agencies.
Management
Analysis: Reading tea leaves of political appointments not yet made
Is the White House side-stepping the Senate confirmation process?
Pay & Benefits
Petition to link lawmaker pay to fiscal cliff deal is up for White House response
Document drew more than 25,000 digital signatures.
Management
USPS must pay for retirees now or later, GAO says
Agency faces stark choices in balancing short-term needs and long-term obligations.
Nextgov
VA’s disability claims backlog tops 900,000
More than 600,000 claims have been languishing in the system for longer than 125 days.
Management
Revolving door still open to Coast Guard top officers, senior execs, GAO finds
Higher-ups often leave for agency contractors.
Nextgov
Cybersecurity is one of five key national security issues in 2013
Get ready for another turbulent year.
Pay & Benefits
New committee will review federal travel policies
First item on the agenda? Per-diem rates.
Pay & Benefits
Obama orders end to pay freeze in spring
Move would end two-year prohibition on across-the-board increases.
Defense
Analysis: Is Chuck Hagel being punished for stance on Iraq?
For too many lawmakers, a Defense Secretary Hagel would be a nagging reminder of what they got wrong.
Management
How to delay a national default in 3 steps
Treasury can take certain actions to buy a little more time.
Oversight
Fiscal cliff negotiations: A slow-motion car wreck?
The best chance for a deal seems to lay with Senate leaders of both parties.
Pay & Benefits
OPM issues furlough guidance
'Planned furloughs' could be necessary if sequestration takes effect.
Oversight
House to reconvene Sunday evening
Cantor says chamber could stay in session through Jan. 2, with the new Congress coming in at noon, Jan. 3.
Nextgov
Small N.C. cloud company nabs first FedRAMP security certification
Any federal agency can now tap Autonomic Resources’ remote networks without testing security.
Oversight
What happens If we go over the fiscal cliff?
A number of cringe-inducing provisions go into effect in the New Year and beyond.
Defense