Oversight
House Lawmakers Demand Info on Viewpoint Survey Delay
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management announced that it would delay administration of the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey just four days before it was slated to commence.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Cyber Agency Warns of SBA Pandemic Loan Impersonator; HHS Advisers Express Concerns on New Data System
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
What the Rest of Government Should Watch When the Defense Authorization Bill Goes to Conference
Overhauling FedRAMP is just one of a list of ways the NDAA could affect civilian government tech.
Defense
Iran Is Our Top Priority, Says Senior US Commander In Middle East
Shiite military attacks have made it harder to fight ISIS, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said.
Benefits
Connelly wants answers on FEVS delays
In a letter to the Office of Personnel Management’s acting director, Rep. Gerry Connelly (D-Va.) said that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Government Operations is “concerned about the apparent mishandling” of the survey.
Employee Policy
AFGE backs Harris for VP
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has a long record supporting federal union issues and looking to check the power of government and private sector tech surveillance.
Tech
GovExec Daily: The Postmaster General, Reform and Technology
Michael Plunkett joins the podcast to examine the business and operational changes at USPS.
Route Fifty
New Coalition Wants to Help in Fight Against Election Misinformation
The Election Integrity Partnership consists of university researchers and others. Local election officials are among those the partnership is hoping to assist in the weeks ahead.
Management
Here's a Look at Kamala Harris' Record on Federal Workforce Issues
Harris has fought for public sector unions and upholding civil service laws.
Pay & Benefits
New Vision and Dental Insurance Options for Feds, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
The Worst of Hurricane Season is Likely Still to Come
Nine named storms have already formed during the 2020 hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends in November. Experts are predicting as many as 16 more.
Pay & Benefits
It’s Time to Consider Privatizing the Thrift Savings Plan
Index fund investing has become a commoditized business, and the private sector can perform the service just as well or better than the government.
Nextgov
What It’s Like to Be a Remote Intern at a Federal Agency
Two students dish about their COVID summer experiences.
Management
Up Close: Conversations with Federal Leaders, Featuring NIH Associate Director Dr. Susan Gregurick
Dr. Susan Gregurick, NIH associate director of data science, sits down with Nextgov Senior Editor Aaron Boyd.
Oversight
It’s Illegal for Federal Officials to Campaign on the Job. Trump Staffers Keep Doing It Anyway.
Trump administration officials have been cited 13 times for violating the Hatch Act, a New Deal-era law prohibiting government officials from engaging in campaigning.
Nextgov
OMB Makes Major Changes to Agency Guidance on Customer Experience
The Office of Management and Budget updated its Circular A-11 guidance for agencies this month, including an expanded definition of customer experience itself.
Employee Policy
Bipartisan Senate bill extends federal telework for duration of the pandemic
The Pandemic Federal Telework Act of 2020 is designed to support telework for any federal job that can be done remotely, while providing management and tech support for teleworking employees.
Employee Policy
For DOD, diversity begins with inclusion, culture change
Janice Glover-Jones, the Defense Intelligence Agency's chief diversity, equality and inclusion officer, said that diversity has to be more than compliance and "promote inclusive behaviors."
Oversight
Experts: Better COVID-19 Testing is Still Vital to ‘Reopening’
There' no pandemic "silver bullet" but COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, masks, and vaccine development are key to going back to school or the office.
Management