Oversight
House Approves Massive $31 Billion 'Ike Dike' Project to Protect Texas Coast from Hurricanes
The U.S. House voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for the massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay, but funding is not yet secured. The largest civil engineering project in U.S. history would permanently alter the Texas coast.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: The Federal Government Plans for Young Kids’ Vaccines Amid Funding Crunch
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
More Reality Checks Could Help Keep Defense Programs on Time and Budget, GAO Says
The Pentagon has long espoused “knowledge-based acquisition,” but doesn’t insist on it.
TSP
The TSP board's nominees all have been confirmed—with one exception
Biden's pick to chair the retirement’s savings program’s board must go through a more arduous process.
Workforce
1 Cup of Coffee a Day May Reduce Kidney Injury Risk
Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day may reduce the risk of acute kidney injury, according to a new study.
Management
GovExec Daily: A Conversation With Public Health AmeriCorps' New Director
Courtney Bublé interviews AJ Pearlman about her new role and the partnership between CDC and Americorps.
Oversight
Regulator Warns That More Elements of DeJoy's Plan for USPS Are Disruptive and Unrealistic
In this case, the Postal Service is seeking to deliver some packages more quickly.
Pay & Benefits
Social Security, COLAs, Earnings Limits and More
Answers to reader questions on pressing issues.
Management
CDC and AmeriCorps Team Up to Bolster the Public Health Workforce
“We saw throughout the COVID pandemic that there was a real need to support local communities, not only in responding to COVID, but also in their broader public health needs,” the new director says.
Pay
Union: A request to raise gas reimbursement rates to reflect skyrocketing prices
One fed employee union this week pressed for higher fuel reimbursements, citing rapidly rising gas prices—along with a weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Financial Planning
GAO tags unemployment insurance as 'high risk'
The government watchdog says more than $78 billion in improper unemployment insurance payments were made in fiscal year 2021. The report cites fraud, poor customer service, inequitable access, legacy tech and staffing shortages as key drivers of failure.
Employee Policy
Occupational health org hits 50—and fights on for employee safety
OSHA was founded with the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act. But individual councils, each known as a COSH, of workers, health organizations and allied groups took off in 1972, and ensured that the new agency and its regulations were able to take effect on the ground.
Management
Interior Department to Phase out Single-Use Plastics on All Public Lands
Agencies including the National Park Service will have until 2032 to eliminate them.
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