Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Smithsonian Announces Reopening; OMB and Oversight Panel Offer Guidelines on Payment Integrity of Relief Funds
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Tech
‘I Feel like I’m Drowning’: Women Business Owners Keep Hitting New Barriers to Federal Loan Aid
Women, especially women of color, are driving small-business growth during a pandemic in which they’ve been hit particularly hard — and missed out on help.
Management
Why It Matters That CDC Declared Racism a Public Health Issue
The move draws attention to long-ignored racial gaps in health care.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Why the 'Deep State' Doesn't Exist in the Civil Service
Guo Xu and Edoardo Teso join the podcast to discuss their paper "Ideology and Performance in Public Organization."
Management
Are Reforms to the Federal Vacancies Act Still Needed Under President Biden?
Experts say “yes.” A House lawmaker plans to reintroduce a bill soon to make improvements.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Waives Premium Pay Cap for Border Detailees
The federal government’s HR agency declared that the influx of children at the southern border is an emergency for the purposes of waiving restrictions on how much premium pay federal employees can earn.
Workforce
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Pushes Federal Hiring Spree to Address Border Influx
Several agencies would see boosted workforces, even those where Democrats previously resisted such efforts.
Management
What Federal Employees Need to Know About Evolving Marijuana Laws
New policies don’t mean federal workers should rush to their local dispensary, and national security leaders in particular are urging caution.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Senate Passes COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act; CDC Reassigns Senior Career Official
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Pentagon Panel Recommends Removing Sexual Assault Cases From Chain of Command
Moving cases to an independent prosecutor is a change long-sought by victims and families failed by the current system.
Defense
A Year After Vanessa Guillén’s Murder, Family and Advocates Say not Enough Has Changed in the Military
The Texas woman’s death exposed a pattern of violence and abuse against soldiers at Fort Hood, the U.S. military’s largest active-duty base. It also sparked national outrage over federal officials’ handling of sexual harassment and noncombat deaths.
Management
Vaccine Mandates Aren’t the Only – or Easiest – Way for Employers to Compel Workers to Get Their Shots
Can companies legally require workers to get vaccinated? Employers have gotten so good at finding ways to get employees to comply with their policies that it may not matter.
Route Fifty
Republicans Unveil $568 Billion Infrastructure Proposal
GOP senators said that they’re ready to engage with Democrats and the Biden administration to work out a deal.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Propose More Than $100B for Federal Tech-Driving Investments
The Senate is set to consider the bipartisan Endless Frontier Act in the coming weeks.
Management
Bipartisan Lawmakers Launch Caucus to Simplify and Strengthen Federal Construction Procurement
“Our federal contractors need members of Congress to promote sensible reforms,” said the co-chairs.
Management
OPM Nominee Sails Through Confirmation Hearing, Pledging to Support Feds and Uphold Merit System
Kiran Ahuja outlined her vision for the federal workforce and the need for the Office of Personnel Management to transform to become a 21st century personnel policymaking agency.
Management
Biden's Postal Board Nominees Pledge Better Service and Workforce Investments
Their confirmation would give Democrat-aligned members a majority of the nine Senate-confirmed slots on the USPS board of governors, but the board would still be unlikely to fire Postmaster General DeJoy.
Oversight
Vanita Gupta Confirmed to Key Justice Department Job in Narrow Senate Vote
Gupta will be the first woman of color and civil rights attorney to serve as associate attorney general. Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined with Democrats in the vote.
Defense