Benefits
House-passed NDAA expands paid leave benefit to excluded feds, bans TikTok
Title 38 employees working at the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal Aviation Administration were not included in the original bill that established the benefit.
Employee Policy
Senate bill calls for online Plum Book
The measure looks to require more frequent updates of the directory of political appointees.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Making Government COVID-19 Data Easier to Use
USAFacts Poppy MacDonald and Aamir Rashid tell the podcast that they would like to see a time when their site is unnecessary because government has made its data more accessible.
Route Fifty
Driving Actually Got Deadlier During the Pandemic
The rate of motor-vehicle deaths per miles driven was up 23.5% in May compared to the same time last year, according to the National Safety Council.
Route Fifty
As Virus Cases Rise in Long-Term Care Facilities, Industry Seeks Help
Nursing homes and other facilities in states where the virus is surging are seeing especially large increases in case counts, according to a new analysis.
Management
Senate Democrats Urge Vote on Bill that Would Federalize the Medical Supply Chain, Bolster Transparency
"There is no way for this country to have enough personal protective equipment...without the federal government stepping up," said one senator.
Pay & Benefits
A Push to Get Feds More Help During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Senate Panel Advances TikTok Ban for Feds, More Transparency on Agency Leaders
Top federal officials would see positions and salaries posted monthly.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Concern Over FEMA Vacancies; Senator Asks CDC to Use its Special Enforcement Authority
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Pay is Way Off Track
The General Schedule system is unresponsive to labor market dynamics and agency staffing needs.
Defense
No Orders To Reduce Troops in South Korea Yet, Esper Says
With traditional U.S. deployments still under review, the defense secretary announced he hopes to visit China by year’s end.
Defense
Expect More Wargames, Attention and Allies in the Arctic, Say Air and Space Force Chiefs
The first Arctic strategy of the Space Force era declares the region vital for US satellites and nuclear missile defenses — and in need of a lot of foreign help.
Benefits
OPM rule protects feds’ health benefits during shutdowns
The Office of Personnel Management wants to be sure feds keep their health benefits in the event of a government shutdown and has proposed designating features of employee insurance programs as “emergency services.”
Pay
Senators cite USCIS surplus in request to postpone furloughs
The immigration agency is now set to end FY2020 with surplus, and two Senate appropriators are asking for a pause on furloughs while Congress negotiates supplemental funding to offset 2021 shortfalls.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: How the Government Can Hire and Retain Talent Better
Jason Briefel joins the program to discuss government human capital and its challenges.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Threatens Veto of Defense Policy Bill Over Base Names, Other Issues
The White House issued a formal veto threat of the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act just hours before lawmakers voted on the must-pass legislation.
Route Fifty
State Data Reporting on the Coronavirus is Falling Woefully Short
A new analysis by a nonprofit group finds troubling gaps and inconsistencies with the information states are sharing with the public, and offers recommendations for how it can be improved.
Route Fifty
Sen. Mitch McConnell Lays Out Priorities for GOP Coronavirus Bill
Funding for schools, direct stimulus payments to Americans, and targeted aid for businesses will be included in the proposal, but he didn't mention state and local funding.
Workforce
Homeland Security Moves Forward With 13,000 Furloughs Despite Its Improving Financial Situation
Lawmakers say the furloughs, set to begin in August, are now unnecessary.
Management