Management
Federal Bureau of Prisons Spent $3M on Unproven UV Coronavirus Sanitizing Portals
The gates intended to disinfect staff as they enter facilities haven’t been studied enough to know if they are safe or effective, union says in complaint to IG.
Route Fifty
Appeals Courts Split on Whether Trump Administration Can Enforce 'Public Charge’ Rule
A federal appeals court says the rule penalizing immigrants for using public assistance programs can’t be enforced in three northeast states. But another court found the administration can move forward with its new standards.
Nextgov
CISA Finalized Directive on Vulnerability Disclosure Policies, Congressman Says
The binding operational directive would create a legal path for ethical hackers to report website vulnerabilities to government agencies.
Defense
Following Leaks, Pentagon Introduces Mandatory Operations Security Training
But many are still unclear if they have to take it.
Oversight
Lawmakers Look to Further Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
Bills in the House and Senate would ban federal officials from blocking employees from sharing information with Congress, prohibit retaliatory investigations and protect more workers.
Route Fifty
Pets Are Testing Positive for Coronavirus
A dog in Louisiana is the eighth pet in the United States to test positive for the virus that causes Covid-19. It's unlikely that animals can transmit the virus to people, according to the CDC—but they can catch it from their owners.
Nextgov
TSA’s Looking to Rapidly Verify Passengers Without Biometrics or Physical IDs
Prior to the pandemic, hundreds of travelers would attempt to pass through security checkpoints each day without identification.
Pay & Benefits
How Your Benefits Have Changed Recently
To address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has loosened restrictions on several federal employee benefits programs.
Route Fifty
The Escalating Crisis in Police Hiring
COMMENTARY | As revenues drop and passionate debates over police mission, budget and purpose continue, cities still face the arduous task of recruiting top-notch candidates.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Transition Plans Include Public Health Guidance; Top Democrats Release Joint Oversight Analysis of Federal Pandemic Response
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
How CBP Plans to Spend—and Repay—Its $15M Modernization Fund Loan
Agency officials already completed the first phase of modernizing the nation’s second-largest revenue collection system but needed an infusion of cash to keep the momentum going.
Defense
‘Most Believe’ Beirut Blast ‘Accident,’ Esper Says, Contradicting Trump
The president said “some of our great generals” told him that the blast was “a bomb of some kind.”
Oversight
After a Year of Investigation, the Border Patrol Has Little to Say About Agents’ Misogynistic and Racist Facebook Group
The Border Patrol vowed a full accounting after ProPublica revealed hateful posts in the private Facebook group. Now congressional investigators say the agency is blocking them and revealing little about its internal investigation.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Coming Evictions Crisis
Route Fifty's Emma Coleman joins the podcast to discuss what the end of evictions moratoriums means for housing nationwide.
Workforce
Trump’s TVA Firings May Be a Harbinger of Things to Come
At a time of intense economic uncertainty for millions, workforce management decisions can create new challenges.
Route Fifty
Poll: Majority of Americans Would Support Two-Week Lockdown
Almost two-thirds of people who responded to the NPR/Ipsos survey said the U.S. is doing a worse job than other countries in dealing with the pandemic.
Management
Court Dismisses Union’s Lawsuit Over Federal Employees’ Right to Talk ‘Impeachment’ and 'Resistance'
Last year the American Federation of Government Employees sued the Office of Special Counsel over its Hatch Act guidance.
Route Fifty
New York City to Set Up Checkpoints to Enforce Quarantine of Travelers
Enforcement teams will deploy to key entry points in the city to ensure incoming travelers complete health forms that request contact information and to inform them of the two-week quarantine requirement.
Route Fifty
Trump Campaign, Republican Party Sue Nevada Over Expanded Vote-by-Mail
President Trump has claimed that sending all voters an absentee ballot will make “it impossible for Republicans to win the state.”
Pay & Benefits