Defense
Boeing Can’t Find Enough Workers to Build the New Air Force One
A new GAO report details the latest setback for the presidential planemaker.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Lawyer, the Whistleblowers and $550M in Social Security Fraud
Damian Paletta, Brian Lazarte and James Lee Hernandez from "The Big Conn" join the podcast to discuss the story of the slow pace of government investigations, the people affected and the man at the center of a huge fraud case at SSA.
Defense
Lawmakers Want to Know How Much Bad Software Costs DOD
When the House Armed Services Committee begins its markup process of the annual defense authorization bill on June 8, look out for a provision asking the Pentagon to account for wasted money and lost productivity caused by poorly performing software.
Oversight
How a Public Hearing Is Different from An Investigation – and What that Means for the Jan. 6 Committee
On the eve of public hearings held by Congress’ January 6 investigative committee, a former oversight staffer for the House of Representatives explains what such hearings aim to accomplish.
Pay & Benefits
A Request to Raise Gas Reimbursement Rates to Reflect Skyrocketing Prices, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Workforce
Supreme Court Makes Federal Officials 'Absolutely Immunized' From Personal Lawsuits
New ruling restricts when individuals can sue federal personnel for misconduct.
Management
Unemployment Insurance Has Been Added to GAO's 'High Risk' List
The government watchdog says more than $78 billion in improper unemployment insurance payments were made in fiscal year 2021, and cited fraud, poor customer service, inequitable access, legacy tech and staffing shortages as key drivers of failure.
Management
The White House Just Pulled Its Nominee to Fill the Still-Vacant Job of Federal Procurement Chief
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy has not had a confirmed leader since the Trump administration, despite the Biden administration's goals to use procurement to advance equity and curb climate change.
Oversight
Lawmakers Grill VA Tech Officials Over Stalled Progress on Cybersecurity
Top cyber officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs told Congress they are opposed to a bipartisan bill seeking to strengthen the agency’s cybersecurity standards—despite its ongoing failures to meet oversight recommendations.
Management
DOE Shares the Playbook for Energy Emergencies
The Energy Emergency Response Playbook for States and Territories is designed to help state officials respond to threats to the energy infrastructure from cyberattacks, man-made damage and weather-related incidents like drought, flooding, storms, extreme heat or earthquakes.
Management
U.S. Tragedies from Guns Have Often – but not Always – Spurred Political Responses
Congress tends to be most likely to act after an assassination or assassination attempt of historic proportions or mass shootings. But sometimes lawmakers do nothing beyond debate new measures.
Tech
How Long Does COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Last?
COVID vaccines provide protection, but immunity wanes over time. Researchers found a drop from 83% after the first month to 22% after five or more months.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: What the TSP Changes Mean For Feds
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the ways the retirement savings plan is shifting, on the board and with its service provider.
Oversight
A New Law Will Make It Harder to Escape Investigation By Leaving Federal Service
The measure will allow the Veterans Affairs Department IG to subpoena former feds and contractors.
Workforce
The EEOC Will Keep Online Mediation Around Post-COVID
The EEOC had to offer mediation sessions online because of the pandemic and the agency wants to keep the virtual option for the future.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Participants Bemoan Bumpy Recordkeeper Transition
Federal employees and retirees have reported problems with setting up new accounts for online access to the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program, and the agency’s call center has been deluged.
Management
A New Law Ensures Kids’ Needs Are Prioritized In Natural Disasters and Other Catastrophic Events
“Children suffer the most when these tragedies occur in communities,” one lead lawmaker says.
Defense
Raytheon Technologies to Move HQ from Massachusetts to Northern Virginia
The move means the five largest defense contractors will all call the D.C. region home.
Workforce
The EEOC Is Proceeding With Office Reentry Plans Despite COVID-19 Spikes. Its Union Wants More Communication
Bargaining unit employees are expected to double their amount of in-office work next week, despite increasing numbers of agency offices located in high transmission regions.
Oversight