Route Fifty

What Stays and Goes as Democrats Trim Biden’s Domestic Spending Bill

Funding for free community college tuition is likely to be cut and a child tax credit and paid family and medical leave could be limited.

Nextgov

Microsoft: SolarWinds Hackers Ramping Up Attacks Through Resellers

The company said supply chain attacks by Russian government hackers over the last four months exceed those they’ve been tracking by all nation-state actors over the last three years.

Management

Postal Service Vows to Win Over Republicans Angry About Banking Pilot

Republican committee leaders say Louis DeJoy withheld information to keep the initiative secret.

Pay & Benefits

Senators Urge TSP to Include Diverse Managers in Mutual Fund Window

Group of Democratic lawmakers cites multiple studies that found that women- and minority-run asset managers were more likely to outperform financial markets.

Defense

Cancers Strike US Fighter Pilots, Crews at Higher Rates, Air Force Finds

Nearly 30% higher likelihood of testicular cancer and roughly 25% for skin and prostate cancer, according to the military’s most comprehensive study yet.

Nextgov

DIU’s First 5G Experiment Could Be a Game-Changer for First Responders

The Defense Innovation Unit is prototyping portable—and wearable—networking tools with the California National Guard so they can connect anywhere.

Workforce

The Future of Work Is Hybrid – Here’s An Expert’s Recommendations for Success

Even when the pandemic ends, the vast majority of U.S. companies are expected to let many employees continue to work at least part time from home.

Management

GovExec Daily: Lessons for the Next Pandemic

Katherine Barrett, Richard Greene and Dr. Donald F. Kettl join the podcast to discuss how government can learn from the COVID-19 crisis.

Oversight

Trump Wants the National Archives to Keep His Papers Away from Investigators – Post-Watergate Laws and Executive Orders May not Let Him

Donald Trump’s lawsuit to stop the release to Congress of potentially embarrassing or incriminating documents puts the National Archives in the middle of an old legal conflict.

Pay & Benefits

House Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Overhaul Federal Firefighter Pay, Benefits

Under a new bipartisan bill, federal wildland firefighters would make at least $20 per hour.

Workforce

Biden Team Wants to Know How Feds Feel About the Return to Office, Inclusion and More

Administration officials are seeking feedback in short “pulse” surveys that will go out roughly every two months.  

Defense

Women in the Military Pay More to Keep Their Uniforms up to Date. Two Senators Aim to Change That.

The military does not provide allowances to replace some required pieces for women, such as dress pumps, hand bags and swimsuits, according to a recent government report.

Defense

A Quartet of Warnings Highlight Climate-Related Threats

Agencies vow to heed climate change in all strategy planning, but experts say that won’t be enough.

Management

The Missing Element in Revitalizing the Workforce: Performance

As long as day to day management of performance remains unchanged, it’s unrealistic to expect better results.

Oversight

Immediate Sidelining of Trump Burrower by Biden Administration Was Appropriate, IG Finds

The official's hiring by the National Security Agency had generated significant concern, but a watchdog says the decision was above board.