Route Fifty
Possibility of State Medicaid Cuts Looms in 2021
When states reduce spending on the program it also means they lose federal matching funds. Meanwhile, a new report highlights the long-term importance of the health coverage for kids.
Management
Up Close: Conversations with Federal Leaders, Featuring TSA, Senior Adviser, Requirements and Capability Analysis Melissa Conley
Melissa Conley, Senior Adviser, Requirements and Capability Analysis at TSA, sits down with Nextgov Executive Editor, Frank Konkel.
Management
House Passes One Week Stopgap Spending Bill
Lawmakers send measure to Senate and hope for full-year omnibus by new Dec. 18 deadline.
Management
Global Media Agency Head Replaces Acting Voice of America Director
This is the latest in a series of controversial moves by Michael Pack during his six months in office.
Route Fifty
2020 Sees Largest Year-Over-Year Rise in Murder on Record
Preliminary data from this year shows that homicide rates are up in most major cities. The pandemic and social unrest are both possible factors in the rise.
Pay & Benefits
House Overwhelmingly Passes Defense Bill With Leave Benefits, Setting Up Confrontation with Trump
Although the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, the president has threatened to veto the must-pass bill over unrelated matters.
Management
VA Flags Potential Staffing, Resource Hurdles in Vaccine Distribution
The department will start with a small distribution of doses, but expects a series of hurdles in inoculating its entire workforce and network.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Biden Outlines COVID Plan for First 100 Days; Trump Directs Agencies to Prioritize Giving Americans Vaccines
Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Austin Pick Thrusts Pentagon Into Identity-Politics Debate
His confirmation would be historic. But for whom?
Management
Study of Healthcare Workers Shows COVID-19 Immunity Lasts Many Months
In the rare instances in which someone with acquired immunity for SARS-CoV-2 subsequently tested positive for the virus, they never showed any signs of being ill.
Defense
Army Disciplines 14 Soldiers, Creates New Duty Status After Murder
The steps follow the conclusion of one of several inquests into the April murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen.
Oversight
Efforts to Stop Trump’s Border Wall Construction Could Extend Long Past Inauguration Day
President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next month will mark a change in border policies, but the litigation over Donald Trump’s border wall could continue, wall opponents say.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: A Pay Freeze and Schedule F Update
Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the latest in federal workforce news.
Route Fifty
'It's All Gone Too Far:' A State Election Official Takes on Trump and the Age of Misinformation
Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system implementation manager, called out his fellow Republicans for failing to condemn threats and conspiracy theories in the wake of the election. The world heard him.
Route Fifty
With Vaccine Approval Imminent, States Ready Plans to Give People Their Shots
The federal government could approve and begin distributing vaccines to protect against Covid-19 as soon as next week.
Route Fifty
McConnell: State and Local Aid Should Be Left Out of Near-Term Virus Relief Deal
The Senate majority leader recommended passing a package with programs that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, while the Trump administration offered its own proposal.
Management
Advocacy Group Urges Biden to ‘Clean House’ at Social Security, Lessen Impact of Payroll Tax Deferral
Under a proposal floated by the organization Social Security Works, federal employees would have twice as long next year to pay back the payroll taxes they were forced to defer by the Trump administration.
Workforce
Incoming Biden Officials Praise Career Federal Workers
Nominees' new tone marks contrast from the often adversarial relationship between Trump administration and career feds.
Management
Lead Like Leo: Lessons From ‘The West Wing’
Those taking the reins in Washington could benefit from binge-watching the classic political drama.
Oversight