Workforce
Lawmakers raise bipartisan concerns over VA RIFs as secretary says he may alter plans
VA secretary says he could end up cutting fewer than the proposed 80,000 employees, but the final tally could be greater as well.
Management
Senate confirms Bisignano to lead Social Security
In a party line vote, Senate Republicans elected to disregard a whistleblower’s allegation that Frank Bisignano had improper contact with the agency to facilitate DOGE operatives’ onboarding.
Workforce
19 states sue Trump administration over mass layoffs at HHS
States argue key programs on which they have relied are no longer operating and ask the court to reinstate workers.
Management
Push to revoke certain Biden-era rules intensifies as congressional Republicans race against deadline
EPA waivers are being targeted for removal, even though the Government Accountability Office as well as an official who advises on Senate rules said they are exempt from the Congressional Review Act.
Management
Former NSF heads criticize funding and staff cuts at science agency
Former National Science Foundation and National Science Board leads sent a letter to congressional leadership saying the cuts to the agency run contrary to the Trump administration’s priorities.
Management
‘Biohazard’: Forest Service employees warn cuts having devastating, and disgusting, impacts
DOGE is holding up contracts across government and it's affecting everything from firefighting to toilet cleaning.
Defense
‘Gimmicks’: GOP lawmakers slam Trump’s ‘trillion-dollar’ defense-spending proposal
White House claims of a 13% increase rest on unusual maneuvers, not a higher DOD budget line.
Workforce
Initial layoffs at Transportation Department expected in late May
Secretary Sean Duffy said at a department town hall that the number of employees subject to reductions in force would depend on how many leave government service under the deferred resignation program.
Pay & Benefits
Proposed retirement cuts cast renewed pall over deferred resignations
Federal workers who accepted President Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called ‘fork in the road’ fear Republicans have “pulled the rug out from under” their retirement plans.
Tech
Here are the tech takeaways from Trump’s budget proposal
The White House has suggested sweeping reductions to many civilian agencies, though it promises to maintain investments in emerging technologies.
Management
The biggest takeaways from Trump's cut-filled FY26 budget
See which agencies suffer the most significant reductions as Trump seeks to slash non-defense agencies by 22%.
Workforce
VA tech panel’s top Democrat worries layoffs will harm EHR rollout
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., is concerned that staffing vacancies, coupled with the department’s reduction in force plans, will put “more pressure onto the VA to execute on an expedited calendar for implementation” of its new EHR system.
Defense
Hegseth issues Army a lengthy to-do list
The Wednesday memo includes deadlines for weapons and tech, orders to streamline units and organizations, and more.
Pay & Benefits
Domestic TSP funds continued to swoon in April
The federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program continued to produce a mixed bag for participants last month.
Pay & Benefits
A crash course in retirement planning
Let's revisit my tips and resources for transitioning from employee to annuitant.
Exclusive
Workforce
Connolly demands rescission of regulations reviving Schedule F
The top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee warned that politicization of the federal workforce will lead to more instances of “incompetence” in government.
Exclusive
Workforce
Federal employees removed by Trump would have easier pathway back to government service under Democratic bill
A pair of bills would seek to give hiring preference to axed feds and to standardize the length of probationary periods for government workers, as the administration has sought to fire those individuals who have less civil service job protections.
Pay & Benefits
House Republicans advance plan to cut federal worker benefits and undermine civil service protections
One Republican who voted against the measure said efforts to reduce existing federal workers’ pension benefits will fail if put to a vote before the full House.
Workforce
Selected federal hiring sprees included in House Republicans’ sweeping tax cut package
Several agencies across government would receive tens of billions of dollars to hire tens of thousands of employees.
Workforce