Management
Senators From Both Political Parties Urge Trump to 'Reconsider' Defense Union Memo
Lawmakers say the president’s January decision to give Defense Secretary Mark Esper blanket authority to abolish collective bargaining runs counter to congressional intent.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Call on Justice Dept. IG to Investigate Political Interference
Meddling by the Trump administration could “permanently damage the integrity and independence” of the department, they wrote.
Management
Key Missteps at the CDC Have Set Back Its Ability to Detect the Potential Spread of Coronavirus
The CDC designed a flawed test for COVID-19, then took weeks to figure out a fix so state and local labs could use it. New York still doesn’t trust the test’s accuracy.
Nextgov
First Instance of VA’s New Electronic Health Record System Now Scheduled For July
VA officials said the initial deployment was delayed after clinicians asked to be trained on a full system instead of a minimum viable product.
Route Fifty
State Leaders Seek Strategies To Combat Extremist Violence
At an event hosted at Georgetown Law School, state leaders traded ideas about how to deal with the rise of extremist violence and hate crimes.
Workforce
VA Secretary Under Investigation After Complaint He Looked for Dirt on a House Staffer Who Said She’d Been Assaulted
The agency’s internal watchdog told lawmakers about the probe after ProPublica unearthed the allegations against Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The White House Says It Is Purging Never Trumpers from Agencies
With reports that the White House has lists of "disloyal" people in government, Katherine McIntire Peters and Eric Katz joined GovExec Daily to discuss what that will mean for civil servants.
Management
Former IRS Executive Named Permanent National Taxpayer Advocate
The appointment comes at the height of the busy tax filing season.
Management
Defense Chief Says He Didn’t Ask for Union Memo, Declines to Say How He Will Use New Power
Esper told lawmakers he would wait for staff recommendations before using the newly granted authority to outlaw collective bargaining among Pentagon civilian workers.
Defense
The Federal Government Should Go to War With the Coronavirus, Today
A bipartisan federal effort, leading to a military-style assault, is necessary to contain the virus that has the potential to infect 40%-70% of the world’s population within a year.
Nextgov
Pentagon Confirms Alka Patel to Lead the Implementation of Its New Ethical AI Principles
The agency announced it would hire an ethicist in September.
Route Fifty
Weak Business Growth Across Rural America Highlighted in New Report
It’s some of the latest research to look at the growing divide between thriving cities and other parts of the country that are lagging economically.
Oversight
Bill Would Require Frequent Congressional Testimony from Acting Defense and National Security Officials
Trump administration's acting officials "limit congressional oversight of our national security," the measure's sponsor says.
Pay & Benefits
Staying Healthy Can Pay Off, In Cash
Not only does paying attention to wellness make for a more enjoyable retirement, it can help you get rewards from your health insurance plan.
Management
Performance Management: An Emphasis on Learning
The trick is getting front-line managers to see value in fostering a learning-driven, problem-solving approach to improving performance.
Route Fifty
Lawmakers Push to Restore Waterway, Coastal Storm Assessment Funds
The Trump administration has proposed significant reductions to a program that funds cleanup in the Chesapeake Bay and stopped funding studies that seek to address threats posed by coastal storm-related flooding.
Management
Trump Endorsed a Risky Antidepressant for Veterans. Lawmakers Want to Know if His Mar-a-Lago Pals Had a Stake in the Drugmaker.
House Democrats requested emails and financial records as they investigate why the president told the VA to “corner the market” on a Johnson & Johnson drug.
Defense
Lawmakers Fire Back at Trump’s Plan to Divert Military Funds to Border Wall
But the bipartisan team of Smith and Thornberry have attracted few other GOPers to the effort.
Management
No Matter What Happens In November, a Transition is Coming
Government leaders face enormous uncertainty in the coming months. It’s bound to be a wild ride.
Workforce