Employee Policy
New missions present challenges for DOD cyber workforce
Mieke Eoyang, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy, said one of DOD's main cyber workforce challenges is being able to set expectations around policymakers' calls to step in and defend against cyberattacks.
Route Fifty
Public Health Workers Make Case for Student Loan Repayment Program
The House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that would forgive up to $35,000 annually in student loans for individuals who work in public health for three years.
Management
Lawmaker Introduces 'Drain the Swamp Act' to Force All Agencies to Leave Washington
Agencies would be allowed to keep just 10% of their workforces in the nation's capital.
Workforce
Biden Admin. Suspends Immigration Judge Quotas, Prompting Similar Requests Elsewhere
Following news that the Justice Department will no longer enforce strict caseload quotas on immigration judges, administrative law judges at SSA called on the agency to suspend the requirement to schedule at least 50 disability cases per month.
Management
Lawmakers Push to Extend Deadline for Alaska Native Corporations to Spend COVID-19 Relief Funds
The Supreme Court ruled in June that these corporations are in fact eligible for the money, but now they are racing to spend it ahead of a December 31 deadline.
Nextgov
White House Names Leaders for FCC and NTIA
With the nomination of Gigi Sohn, the FCC is also now poised to have a full suite of commissioners to tackle issues under its remit, including cybersecurity.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdog Reviews Reentry Planning and Hiring During COVID-19
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Pentagon AI Chief Responds to USAF Software Leader Who Quit in Frustration
Lt. Gen. Groen concedes culture must change, but says faster development is already on the way.
Nextgov
Critical Update: The Federal CISO Is Prioritizing Flexibility for Agencies
In a new age of cyberattacks, Chris DeRusha says agencies must have more room to implement practices that enable constant vigilance.
Management
An Infectious Disease Expert Explains New Federal Rules on ‘Mix-and-Match’ Vaccine Booster Shots
As boosters are authorized for all three COVID-19 shots available in the U.S., the ability to swap out vaccine types looks to be a boon to the immune system.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Modernizing Public Service… And Public Servants
GovLab chief and author Dr. Beth Simone Noveck joins the podcast to discuss her new book.
Employee Policy
FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes
The agency has been without a general counsel for years, leaving it unable to resolve charges of unfair labor practices, but the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership.
Employee Policy
Labor org endorses bill to ease public sector unionizing
Recently re-introduced legislation, if passed, would help help more feds and other public-sector workers to avail themselves of union protections and associated potential gains that can come with joining organizations on-the-job.
Management
Senate Confirms Biden’s Occupational Safety and Health Nominee
OSHA has not had a confirmed leader since January 2017.
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.
Management
The Quiet and Quintessential Public Servant: Dwight Ink, 1922-2021
“Mr. Implementation” has passed away.
Management