Oversight
VA sets aside $20 million to handle latest data breach
Money to pay for credit monitoring will come out of cybersecurity budget, agency official says.
News
Whistleblower protection bill gains Senate panel’s approval
Legislation would clarify language in 1989 law and take whistleblower cases out of the sole jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals for five years.
Pay & Benefits
Panel approves student loan forgiveness for public servants
Bill seeks to update 1993 law that authorized income-contingent loan repayment programs.
Pay & Benefits
Survivor Savings
Employee group representative proposes allowing surviving spouses to hold on to TSP accounts.
Defense
Democrats try to reshape security spending debate
Republicans want to discuss earmarks on the House floor before passing any spending bill.
Defense
Air Force envisions stealthy long-range bomber for 2018
The service’s B-2 bomber -- the youngest aircraft in the bomber fleet -- was fielded in 1989 and features only second-generation stealth capabilities.
Defense
Army, Air Force seek to go on offensive in cyber war
Services ask for technology industry’s help in launching attacks on enemy systems.
Oversight
GSA may let states, localities spend federal grants on schedule contracts
Advances in Web-based procurement have cut away at the argument that such a policy would hurt small businesses.
Pay & Benefits
Definition of 'telework,' measure of benefits still lacking
Many agencies don’t have a handle on how many employees actually work away from the office, and lack ways to quantify productivity gains.
Oversight
IRS cites lack of resources to review potential fraud cases
Official says scrutinizing more refund claims before payment would require tough trade-offs.
Oversight
GSA chief spars with House panel Democrats
At hearing Wednesday, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., calls for Lurita Doan's resignation.
News
Committee OKs bill requiring agencies to reduce emissions
Agencies would need to ensure all buildings are “carbon neutral” by 2050; new facilities would need to be more eco-friendly than standing ones.
Oversight
Panel backs customer service standards for agencies
Measure would require officials to gather survey and focus group data, and submit it for annual reviews.
Defense