Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: “Bright Spots” of the Federal Pandemic Response; FDA Addresses COVID Variants
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Critical Update: Who’s Afraid of EMPs?
Electromagnetic pulses are frequently boogeymen in pop culture but the federal government takes real steps to prepare for them.
Oversight
Why We Can’t Make Vaccine Doses Any Faster
President Biden has promised enough doses for all American adults by this summer. There’s not much even the Defense Production Act can do to deliver doses before then.
Management
GovExec Daily: Overcoming the Limits of Technology During Telework
Clint Padgett joins the podcast to discuss how to encourage conversation and collaboration while most people are working remotely.
Management
Union Announces 'Boldest Agenda' Yet to Strengthen Federal Employee Rights, Pay and Benefits
The president of the nation’s largest federal employee union forecast a “two-year window” to undo former President Trump’s workforce policies and expand workers’ collective bargaining rights.
Nextgov
SolarWinds CEO Recommends Liability Protections for Sharing Information about Incidents
The new CEO had a couple of other asks for Congress too.
Route Fifty
Smallest Businesses Will Get Special Window to Apply for Federal Relief Funds
The Biden administration announced the change to the Paycheck Protection Program on Monday, along with other measures to improve access to funding for minority-owned businesses.
Route Fifty
Bemoaning 'Cancel Culture,' One State Lawmaker Aims to Make Political Affiliation a Protected Class
California state Sen. Melissa Melendez, a Republican, said the legislation is necessary to ensure free speech.
Pay & Benefits
Anticipating Resurgence of Travel, TSA Begins Major Hiring Surge
Biden administration seeks reversal in screener workforce trends from the last year.
Management
Why We Need to Focus on Pay Equity in Government
President Biden’s promise to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all” defines the goal.
Defense
The Day Private Willie Mays Threw Out My Dad
Two lives intersect in a story of baseball, military service, and American society in the Korean War era.
Management
Two Moderate Senators Announce Opposition to Biden’s OMB Pick, Making Confirmation Path Trickier
Republican and Democratic senators condemned Neera Tanden’s partisan history and mean tweets.
Management
Feds OK’d Export of Millions of N95 Masks as U.S. Workers Cried for More
In the hours before President Joe Biden was inaugurated, the Federal Emergency Management Agency allowed a Texas mask maker to ship the high-quality masks overseas.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Ten Years of Federal Performance Management
Georgetown's Dr. Donald Moynihan joins the podcast to discuss the reasons for optimism after a decade of the Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act.
Management
One Month In, How Biden Has Changed Disaster Management and the U.S. COVID-19 Response
Developing a national disaster response plan for the pandemic was only step one.
Workforce
VA Touts Lower Employee COVID-19 Infection Rates, Improved PPE Supply
Officials praise VA workforce's resiliency as widespread vaccination leads to far fewer employees missing work.
Management
Winter Storm Hampers COVID Vaccine Shipments and Distribution
Biden administration officials express confidence in mitigating the impacts.
Management
Key Senator Lends Support to Effort to Oust Social Security Leadership
The chairman of a subcommittee overseeing the Social Security Administration has joined calls from labor and advocacy groups demanding that President Biden replace the agency’s top political appointees.
Workforce
Officials Still Fighting for Vaccine Distribution for D.C.-Area Feds Despite Initial Rejection
Lawmakers caution the Biden administration against “foisting” feds onto state vaccination programs.
Nextgov