Pay & Benefits
New TSP Recordkeeper Will Ease Management of Retirement Savings, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Trump’s Purge of Defense Agencies Comes at a Vulnerable Time for U.S. National Security
Investigations of the 9/11 attacks show that a short, unstable transition between two presidents can weaken U.S security. Trump's sweeping staff changes compound the risk, experts say.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Want to Know Why a Controversial Immigration Figure Was Appointed to a High-Level NIST Job
The pair asked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for details about the creation of a deputy undersecretary position and why Congress was not informed.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: HHS Cancels Celebrities Campaign; FDA Approves First Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Test
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Viewpoint: Whistleblowers are Democracy’s Last Defense
When brave individuals speak up against wrongdoing, they can mitigate the damage and prevent further harm.
Management
Dozens of Senators Introduce Bill Blocking Trump’s Order to Politicize the Civil Service
Legislation from a group of 40 Democrats would rescind President Trump’s executive order creating a new Schedule F classification of federal employees without civil service protections.
Defense
Trump Orders Hasty Afghanistan, Iraq Drawdowns to Beat Biden Inauguration
Majority Leader McConnell leads chorus of bipartisan, shocked opposition to the 11th hour order read by Acting Defense Secretary Miller.
Nextgov
VA Plans for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced partnerships with other agencies Tuesday in an effort to prep for a possible COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Tech
GovExec Daily: The Tech Priorities For the Incoming Administration
Nextgov's Frank Konkel joins the podcast to discuss the the Biden White House's plans for when they take office in January.
Tech
Trump Fires DHS Exec Who Disputed President's Baseless Election Fraud Claims
After helping to keep the election secure from hackers, the CISA director turned to refuting the baseless claims of the president.
Route Fifty
Biden Names Intergovernmental Affairs Chief
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | New Orleans nixes Mardi Gras parades due to Covid … Mississippi governor calls for axing state’s income tax … Leaders in both parties urge against out-of-state political supporters moving to Georgia ahead of special election.
Nextgov
Trump Administration to Name OPM’s Basil Parker as Federal CIO
The chief of staff and IT and cybersecurity workforce adviser will be appointed to the top IT position in the federal government, according to the White House.
Management
Regulatory Affairs Veteran Shares Insights on Trump’s Cutbacks and What Lies Ahead for Biden
"Judge the person relative to what you want them to do," said Jim Tozzi, on selecting a new Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs administrator.
Management
Major Federal Employee Union Urges Biden to Restore Collaborative Labor Relations
NTEU publishes recommendations for the presidential transition, encouraging an end to President Trump’s antagonism of unions.
Route Fifty
Federal Intervention in Police Departments to Return Under Biden
The Biden administration will reinvigorate “pattern and practice” investigations into police departments and correctional facilities, while also looking to more aggressively examine prosecutors.
Route Fifty
One City Council Tried to Dissuade Protesters from Targeting the Governor's Private Home. (It Didn't Work.)
The city council in Orem, Utah, convened an emergency meeting to pass an ordinance restricting protests that target public officials' private homes. Two days later, protesters were back at Gov. Gary Herbert's house.
Pay & Benefits
Panel Deals Major Blow to Trump's Signature Civil Service Reform, Calls for Rehiring of Fired Workers
Labor authority says administration violated a contract in implementing a 2017 law.
Nextgov
CISA Needs More Resources to Avoid ‘Whack-a-Mole’ Operation, Lawmaker Says
The agency shelved routine work protecting federal networks to turn its attention to pressing pandemic and election issues.
Nextgov
Army Wants Data Analytics to Spot ‘Emerging Tech Leaders’
The Army plans to issue a call later this month through its Small Business Innovation Research program.
Defense