Management

Coronavirus Roundup: HHS is Establishing a New Office Focused on Long COVID

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

Tech

Text Messages Are Federal Records and Must Be Saved, DoD Orders

After news that Jan. 6 insurrection-related texts were wiped from former Pentagon officials’ phones, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks ordered data on department devices must be retained. 

Oversight

Senate Panel Works Over Bill to Assure Peaceful Transfers of Power

The Electoral Count Act has become a recent concern following the Jan. 6 insurrection

Workforce

Don’t Fear the Public Service Reform Act

A former chief human capital officer says it is time to re-center and simplify the rules to balance individual fairness and organizational effectiveness in the federal government.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: Criminal Referrals at the Border and Immigration Policy

Syracuse University's Austin Kocher joins the podcast to his latest immigration research.

Workforce

The Federal Labor Authority Has Substantiated Union Accusations against EEOC Over Reentry

The federal anti-discrimination agency said it was committed to bargaining “in good faith” with its labor representatives but stopped short of committing to roll back its unilaterally implemented reentry plan.

Management

The HHS Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency

This comes after weeks of pressure as the virus spread throughout the country. 

Oversight

A New Bill Seeks to Prevent the Secret Service from Withholding Records from its Watchdog

“While I share the concerns of my colleagues about the actions of the current inspector general, it is also clear the Secret Service tried to impede the inspector general’s investigation into the events of Jan. 6,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Oversight

‘We Need Your Help’: Election Officials Ask Congress to Better Address Harassment Ahead of Midterms

Women make up the overwhelming majority of the election workforce, and many are facing threats in the wake of lies spread about the integrity of the 2020 election.

Workforce

Data-Driven HR Management Faces Uphill Climb

While data can help state and local human resources agencies make better decisions, legacy technology, skills gaps and staff resistance can stand in the way, a new report says.

Management

GovExec Daily: The Decision That May Upset the Administrative State

Don Kettl joins the podcast to discuss the Supreme Court's decision that could change the regulatory state.

Nextgov

How the Cyber Ambassador In Waiting Plans to Control $1.5 Billion for Open Networks

The recently passed “CHIPS and Science Act” funds a grants program that the new State Department official will have a key role in steering, including to telecom networking firms.

Oversight

A Top Senate Democrat Asks the Defense Watchdog to Investigate a New Batch of Missing Jan. 6 Texts

“I don’t know whether the failure to preserve these critical government texts from Jan. 6 is the result of bad faith, stunning incompetence, or outdated records management policies, but we must get to the bottom of it,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Tech

Senate Passes a Bill to Root out Conflicts of Interest in Federal Contracting

The Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act sets new disclosure requirements and expands authorities for federal contracting officers. 

Tech

CBP’s Facial Recognition Program at Airports Is Expanding but Concerns Remain

The facial recognition program for international arrivals in airports is rolled out in all international airports in the United States.