Management
Biden’s Special Counsel Problem
Attorney General William Barr directed U.S. Attorney John Durham to investigate the FBI’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. What it means and how we got here.
Management
Biden’s Pick for CDC Director Hailed for Gender Equity Commitment
Rochelle Walensky, who heads the infectious disease unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, will shape how the government distributes coronavirus vaccines.
Management
Transition Roundup: Concerns Over Biden’s Pick for Defense Secretary; Calls for Disability Representation in Biden Administration
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Dozens of Ex-OMB Officials Condemn Effort to Politicize Most of Agency’s Career Workforce
Former high-ranking career staffers and political appointees sign joint statement urging rejection of proposal to reclassify almost 90 percent of OMB employees.
Defense
Biden Selects Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary, Reportedly
Austin, the last commander of the Iraq War, would be the nation's first Black defense secretary.
Defense
Trump Admin to Rename Two Bases for Space Force Over Military Objections
The Air Force had quietly agreed with Congress not to change anything until the NDAA settles a way forward on Confederate base names.
Management
Racism at the County Level Associated with Increased COVID-19 Cases and Deaths
Blacks are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19 than whites. A study that examined racism at the country level had surprising results.
Management
GovExec Daily: What Federal Execs Can Expect During the Transition
National Academy of Public Administration Fellow Sallyanne Harper joins the podcast to discuss what her life was as a senior official during a transition… and what others can expect during this transition.
Route Fifty
Nearly 1-in-6 Restaurants Are Closed, Some Permanently, Industry Group Says
The National Restaurant Association estimates there are now over 110,000 closures and says the industry badly needs government aid to get through the pandemic.
Nextgov
Flournoy Should Lead Biden’s Pentagon, Armed Services Chairman Says
Rep. Adam Smith told reporters Michèle Flournoy would help the Defense Department cut red tape to engage with new technologies needed for the future of defense.
Pay & Benefits
The Federal Gender Pay Gap Is Shrinking, But the Remaining Disparity May Be the Hardest to Eliminate
Although the gap between men and women at federal agencies has fallen from 19 cents on the dollar in 1999 to 7 cents in 2017, the vast majority of the remaining salary discrepancy is “unexplained,” watchdog finds.
Route Fifty
A Ski Community Will Require Tourists to Sign a Virus Test Affidavit
Pitkin County, Colorado—home to Aspen—will require visitors to sign an affidavit attesting that they've received a negative Covid-19 result recently or will quarantine locally until they can obtain one.
Management
Trump Administration Finalizes Rule to Protect Religion-Based Federal Contractors
It has “a grotesquely overbroad exemption” that could allow for discrimination, said one critic.
Route Fifty
American Mental Health Hits 20-Year Low
A new Gallup poll finds that fewer Americans are assessing their mental health positively during the pandemic.
Nextgov
GSA’s Central Procurement Hub Will Lose the ‘Beta’ in April
The legacy SAM.gov will be shuttered and all the capabilities will be folded into the new SAM.gov, which currently goes by beta.SAM.gov.
Management
With Shutdown Deadline Looming This Week, Lawmakers Look to Buy More Time
Vote on a one-week funding extension is expected this week, ahead of Friday's deadline.
Management
Transition Roundup: Biden Announces Health Team; Transition Challenges at the Pentagon
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
US Officials Say They Can Seal F-35 Sale to UAE Before Trump Leaves
But that would depend on both Congress and the Gulf state.
Nextgov
Microsoft Unveils Top Secret Cloud for Government
The move comes among an array of other cloud-driving announcements.
Tech