Management

Contractors for Trump’s Controversial $3 Billion Food Aid Program Have Hired a Longtime Lobbyist to Tout Their Work

Lawmakers are asking why some federal contractors in Trump’s food aid program apparently lack qualifications to deliver the goods. Companies hired a consultant to tell positive stories.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Federal Law Enforcement at D.C. Protests

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss how federal LEOs were part of the response to the demonstrations near the White House.

Route Fifty

Virginia and Richmond Leaders Plan to Move on Confederate Statue Removal

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Hawaii opens up to interisland travel this month … Tropical storm projected to be headed to Gulf Coast … Nebraska governor apologizes for saying ‘you people’ to black pastors.

Defense

Can the President Really Order the Military to Occupy U.S. Cities and States?

President Trump has warned that he will send the military into states to curb protests. Is Trump’s warning bluster? Or does the president have the authority to send the military into American cities?

Management

OMB Nominee Pledges to Work With Congress and GAO on Coronavirus Investigations

The Office of Management and Budget will “be as responsive as we possibly can,” said Russell Vought. 

Management

USPS Board Nominees Vow to Protect Agency but Offer Little Expertise on Postal Issues

Board of governor appointees offered few details, say they have a lot to learn about Postal Service operations.

Nextgov

Cyber Commission: Expand Connected Device Security Bill Beyond Federal Procurement Realm  

The new recommendation comes in an annex the Cyberspace Solarium Commission released in light of the pandemic. 

Pay & Benefits

Washington-Area Feds Face Another Obstacle to Returning to the Office: Metro Upgrades

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Route Fifty

Minnesota Presses for Oversight of Minneapolis Police—Will Other States Follow?

In the absence of federal civil rights investigations into the conduct of local police departments, some states may begin to implement their own consent decree programs.

Defense

Army Scientists: All Strains of COVID-19 Can Be Covered by One Vaccine

The service is on track to produce a vaccine against multiple coronavirus strains by the end of the year. But making it available is the CDC’s job.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Indian Health Service Forms Critical Response Team; Defense Secretary Reminds Personnel to Be Apolitical 

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Nextgov

Lawmakers Seek Answers From FBI, DHS on Protest Involvement

The House Committee on Homeland Security also wants to know how many personnel the agencies dispatched to address the protests.

Route Fifty

Defense Secretary Opposes Deploying Federal Troops in Response to Unrest

His remarks come after President Trump earlier this week raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops to assist with law enforcement in some cities.

Defense

Pentagon Says Guard Did Not Tear-Gas Protesters; Downplays Role In Militarized Response

A senior official also said the secretary of Defense was unaware of the plan to clear a public park for a Trump photo op.

Oversight

Labor Dept IG Steps Down Following Pandemic Relief Fund Fraud Warning

“This decision has been long in the works and is for entirely personal reasons. I have not been told or asked to resign,” Scott Dahl said.

Employee Policy

OPM looks to its own reopening

As Capitol Region local governments are starting to phase in their own reopening plans, the Office of Personnel Management put out a detailed guide for returning its own employees to the office.

Benefits

Union slams WH plans to cut workers’ comp

As the White House presses on with a plan to cut workers’ comp -- drastically, for many feds, the American Federation of Government Employees is firing back.

Management

Is This the Worst Year in Modern American History?

Comparing 2020 to 1968 offers some disquieting lessons for the present.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: A Checklist Before Feds Come Back to their Offices

The Partnership for Public Service's Max Stier joins the show to discuss the ways agency leaders and management can bring back public servants safely.