Special Report
Oversight
The COVID Commission Has Never Been Fully Staffed, But That Hasn’t Stopped it From Issuing Reports
The oversight body has no Democratic members and no chairperson.
Workforce
Less Than a Week after Social Security Offices Reopen, Unions Report a Mixed Bag
Although some components reported a more collaborative labor-management relationship, that did not extend to field office employees, who now report feeling physically threatened at work.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The Problems with the Proposed USDA Regs
Stan Soloway joins the podcast to discuss new labor rules at Agriculture.
Nextgov
IRS’ ‘Where’s My Return’ Tools Needs Updates Amid Lack Of Agency Plans, Watchdog Says
The Government Accountability Office regards modernizing taxpayer digital resources as a high priority item despite a reported lack of funding.
Employee Policy
USPS converted 63,000 non-career employees to permanent status
The Postal Service has converted over 63,000 part-timers and non-career employees to permanent status just in the last year—and is promising new reforms to "all aspects of our operations" in the coming years.
Tech
Solarium Co-chairs Urge the White House to Maintain Trump-era Cyber Authorities
Lawmakers expressed concern that rolling back the authorities from a 2018 presidential memorandum would jeopardize national security efforts.
Updated
Management
Biden Tries Again For an ATF Nominee
The administration also announced new actions to crack down on “ghost guns.”
Workforce
What Federal Acquisition Personnel Can Do Right Now to Support Sustainability
Federal officials and government purchasing experts showed off tools and resources to help make federal procurement and acquisitions more sustainable and energy efficient.
Oversight
Ketanji Brown Jackson Will Be the First Black Woman Justice. Here’s How She Will Change the Supreme Court.
The Senate has voted to confirm Jackson, whose history-making confirmation sets up the first all-women liberal wing on the court. The 19th examines what she means to the Supreme Court and the legal profession.
Special Report
Oversight
Two Years of COVID-19 Oversight: A Look Back
The CARES Act of 2020 created three pandemic-related oversight entities, and our series will examine their successes and failures as well as their challenges and goals moving forward.
Special Report
Oversight
The Inspectors General COVID Committee Has an ‘Enormous Responsibility'
“We've really changed the way we as federal IGs do business,” says Michael Horowitz, Justice Department inspector general and chair of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Customer Service During a Difficult Tax Season
Courtney Bublé discusses how the IRS is handling staff cuts and a lack of funding with Erin Collins and John Koskinen.
Benefits
GOP Senators want TSP to stay clear of Chinese investments
The group is pressing pending nominees to the board governing the Thrift Savings Plan to keep feds' retirement money out of investments in "China-based" companies.
Workforce
USPS Converted 63,000 Non-Career Employees to Permanent Jobs Over the Last Year
The Postal Service is promising new reforms to "all aspects of our operations" in the coming years.
Employee Policy
Appeals court reinstates Biden's vaccine mandate for feds
Agencies will soon be able to start punishing unvaccinated workers.
Pay
Podcast: Biden's budget would bring a big pay raise for feds
Erich Wagner joins the GovExec daily podcast, and discusses the WH blueprint's workforce provisions.
Management
A New Regulation Will Bolster Procurement for Tribal Businesses
The Interior Department’s final rule advances the president’s executive order on equity.
Defense
Warren Presses the Defense Secretary on Wasteful Contractor Spending
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said adding to the Pentagon's topline for 2023 to account for inflation would just invite "defense contractors to pick taxpayers' pockets."
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: $60 Million Grants Awarded for Public Health AmeriCorps; DOD Consolidates COVID Guidance
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov