Workforce
Meet the Nonprofit Leader Who Is Working to Reverse the ‘Dismal’ Numbers of Women in Federal Law Enforcement
Cathy Sanz’s organization provides training, scholarships, networking and mentorship opportunities to help women “go for it” in their careers.
Oversight
‘These People Don’t Care’: U.S. Senate GOP Stalls Bill for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits
Bipartisan legislation would expand health care and benefits to 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic pits during deployments
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Democrats Propose $21 Billion in Emergency Supplemental COVID and Public Health Threat Funds
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Biden Picks Next Space Force Chief
If confirmed, the missileer and satellite operator would become the newest service’s second leader.
Oversight
Lawmakers Call for DHS Inspector General to ‘Step Aside’ from Secret Service Probe
Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari failed to notify Congress about the Secret Service’s refusal to comply with his office’s investigation for months, top lawmakers said.
Management
That Time Armed Militants Occupied a Federal Building (Not the Capitol)
Before Jan. 6, 2021, there was Jan. 2, 2016.
Workforce
Dropping the Price Point for Doing Background Investigations May Help Improve Vetting
Reducing costs and improving investigation quality has been a key goal of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Where Congress is Directing Pork Barrel Spending
Citizens Against Government Waste's Thomas Schatz joins the podcast to discuss wasteful spending and his organization's 2022 Pig Book.
Pay & Benefits
A Senate Appropriations Bill Endorses Biden’s 4.6% Pay Raise Plan
Like its counterpart in the House, the spending bill that serves as the vehicle for federal employee compensation issues is silent on the subject of a 2023 pay increase, effectively endorsing the president’s plan.
Nextgov
AI Could Help Congress Schedule and Find Unexpected Consensus, Expert Says
Members of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress discussed how artificial intelligence and machine learning could help improve policy outcomes.
Workforce
USPS Plans to Slash 50,000 Positions in Coming Years to Reach 'Break Even' Point
The plan envisions relying solely on attrition. Meanwhile, USPS is delivering election ballots at a much faster clip.
Pay & Benefits
If You’re Feeling Pessimistic, Do Something
Some concrete steps you can take to help you feel more secure about your retirement.
Management
There’s No Decision Yet on Whether to Declare a Public Health Emergency for Monkeypox
In the meantime, the Biden administration is working to make more vaccines available as the case numbers rise.
Tech
Preventing Wildfires Could Start With Data From Controlled Burns
Sage combines machine learning with data from edge sensors to provide on-the-spot detection, monitoring and analysis of a burning area.
Management
IRS Hiring Surge, USPS Electric Vehicle Funding and Other Takeaways From the Democrats' New Agreement
Many agencies across government would see a funding surge under an agreement struck on Wednesday by Democratic senators.
Management
A Bipartisan Bill Aims to Create One Disaster Recovery Assistance Application
Simplifying the application process would remove the burden on disaster survivors seeking federal assistance in the wake of hurricanes, floods, wildfires and more, lawmakers say.
Management
Monkeypox is Straining an Already Overstretched Public Health System
Tests, vaccines and anti-viral treatments all have been in short supply.
Management
How Polio Crept Back Into the U.S.
U.S. public health agencies generally don’t test wastewater for signs of polio. That may have given the virus time to circulate silently before it paralyzed a New York man.
Nextgov
Top Republican to 'Seriously Consider Pulling the Plug' on VA's New EHR System
The ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee plans to introduce legislation before the end of the year to address deficiencies in the rollout of the new Oracle-Cerner electronic health record system.
Workforce