Route Fifty
Feds Step In to Assist States With Unemployment Fixes
The Labor Department has deployed “tiger teams” to six state unemployment agencies, with experts looking for solutions to speed up payments and reduce fraud.
Oversight
Watchdog Still Reviewing Trump Administration's Handling of Some Ukraine Funds
GAO found that the Trump team broke the law by withholding $214 million in Defense funds for policy reasons, but is still looking at another $168 million in State Department funds.
Pay & Benefits
What Federal Employees Should Know About Their Pay If There Is a Shutdown at the End of This Month
Unlike previous closures, furloughed workers would be guaranteed retroactive compensation once government reopens.
Nextgov
Biden Doubles the Size of the President’s Science and Technology Council
The group includes high-profile academics and industry representatives, including from Google and Microsoft.
Management
Potential Traps for Federal Contractors with the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Implementation won’t be easy and companies that do business with the government should prepare.
Workforce
Federal Employee Appeals Board Nominees Preview How They Will Reduce Case Backlog, Handle Vaccine Mandate Challenges
Confirmation of Biden’s picks for MSPB would end unprecedented era of quorum-less board.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: HHS Watchdog Nominee Testifies; Union Calls For Vaccine Mandate at All Points of Entry
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Oversight
Public Health Experts ‘Flabbergasted’ That Biden Still Hasn’t Picked an FDA Chief
The Food and Drug Administration has been mired in controversies related to drug approvals and covid vaccines, all without a permanent leader.
Defense
Trump’s Red, White & Blue Air Force One Paint Job is Not Final, General Says
The concept image is “just something that’s on a paper,” according to Air Force acquisition official.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Shutdown Watch Begins
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the continuing resolution negotiations.
Management
House Passes Shutdown and Default-Averting Package That Now Faces Uphill Battle in Senate
The measure's passage appears unlikely to do much to avoid a shutdown at the end of the month.
Route Fifty
Nearly One-Third of Infrastructure Jobs are Tough to Fill, Research Finds
Job opportunities are likely to boom if Congress approves a pending infrastructure bill, but a National League of Cities report says the current workforce may not be able to meet the demand.
Nextgov
Union Supports Revised Civilian Cyber Reserve Program
But the American Federation of Government Employees is still adamantly against the creation of a civilian National Digital Reserve Corps.
Management
Labor Department Seeks Advice on Increasing Equity in Contracting, Other Programs
The effort furthers an early executive order from President Biden.
Management
Homeland Security Investigates Border Patrol Agents for Potential Misconduct, Sends More Personnel to Texas
DHS secretary says he was "horrified" and "troubled" by actions of federal border personnel in Del Rio, Texas.
Management
Introducing the Government Hall of Fame Class of 2021
From the first career civil servant to the head of the Smithsonian, it’s an exemplary group.
Defense
US Air Force Developing Combat Tanker-Airlifter that Can Land on Water
In a conflict with China, aircraft will need flexibility in basing, and that means water takeoffs, landings.
Nextgov
How the Veterans Affairs Department Went Digital During the Pandemic
Senior officials shared details and numbers on the department’s COVID-19-specific deployments.
Management
GovExec Daily: How the Federal Government Can Impact Diversity and Equity
Deloitte's Shrupti Shah joins the podcast to discuss DEI initiatives being pursued by the Biden administration.
Management