Management
With Negotiations Ongoing, Lawmakers Say Yet Another Stopgap Bill ‘Highly Likely’ to Avert Shutdown
Congress is ironing out coronavirus relief funds in conjunction with a government funding package as the Friday deadline looms.
Nextgov
CISA: SolarWinds Is Not the Only Way Hackers Got Into Networks
The agency also warned that getting attackers out of networks will be complex—especially because they are monitoring IT and cybersecurity employees’ emails.
Management
Transition Roundup: GSA Administrator Talks About the Ascertainment Process; Appointee Tracker Relaunches
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
Inauguration a Holiday for D.C.-Area Feds, Even Those Teleworking Due to COVID-19
The quadrennial bonus day off will still apply to capital region feds in 2021 even though many are not commuting to the office.
Nextgov
White House Launches Plan for a Nuclear Power System on the Moon
It follows other space-centered proposals from the Trump administration—and might not be the last.
Management
10 Reasons Why Anthony Fauci Was Ready to Be the Face of the U.S. Pandemic Response
2020 was a big year for Fauci – but he's been on the national stage for decades. Here's more about his work before COVID-19 and why he was perfectly poised to help the US respond to the pandemic.
Oversight
Viewpoint: IGs Need More Resources to Combat COVID Stimulus Spending Fraud
Problems with the Small Business Administration’s pandemic loan programs illustrate the need for stronger oversight.
Management
Pete Buttigieg Could Become the First Senate-Approved out LGBTQ + Cabinet Secretary
LGBTQ+ groups applaud the significance of the secretary of transportation nomination, calling it “a historic moment for our community” and “a new milestone” for LGBTQ+ people working in government.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The Trump Presidency's Effect on Workforce Management
Dr. Donald F. Kettl joins the podcast to look retrospectively at the past four years and how they've shaped the management of the civil service.
Nextgov
GAO Issues ‘Wake-Up Call’ Report on Agencies’ Lax Supply Chain Security Management
The bottom line is that none of the 23 agencies audited fully implemented foundational risk management practices.
Workforce
VA Is Increasingly Leaning on Contract Nurses as COVID-19 Cases Surge
Employees lament staffing shortages even as VA has brought on 66,000 new workers since the novel coronavirus pandemic began.
Route Fifty
The Covid Detection Method That's Been Right Under Our Noses—Literally
Four dogs in Hawaii are training to detect Covid-19 by scent, part of a large international research study to determine whether it's possible—and how it might be used.
Management
Democratic Lawmakers Seek to Increase Oversight of ‘Midnight’ Regulations
Bill would require the Government Accountability Office to submit various reports to Congress.
Pay & Benefits
A Guide to Pay and Benefits During a Shutdown
Although lawmakers ultimately expect to reach a deal on federal appropriations, failure to pass a bill before Friday’s deadline could lead to a short lapse in funding. Here's what feds need to know.
Route Fifty
Local Health Departments Are Understaffed. Would Biden’s ‘Public Health Jobs Corps’ Help?
Public health leaders say the president-elect’s idea for a corps to help with contact tracing would miss the mark of current needs on the ground, saying they are looking for broader, and more long lasting, federal support.
Management
How the Biden Administration Can Supercharge Results by Using Evidence
Believe it or not, there has been progress over the last four years in the use of evidence and data to inform decision-making. The new administration can build on those gains.
Nextgov
Pentagon Preps for First CMMC Pilots in 2021
The Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program will begin including security requirements in select solicitations starting next year.
Defense
Viewpoint: Keep Politics Out of National-Security Advisory Boards
Trump’s appointment of loyalists to DHS and DOD boards sets a dangerous precedent.
Management
Transition Roundup: Biden Team Briefed on Hacking Campaign; Education Career Officials Told To ‘Resist’
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management