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
USPS Tests More Mail Delivery Changes as Lawmakers Push Back
Critics of reforms under the new postmaster general say he is no longer treating the agency as a public service.
Management
Trump Administration Redacts Meeting Minutes on the Presidential Transition
“If there’s anything that needs to be redacted that’s a sign that there’s something that shouldn’t be going on,” said New York University’s Paul Light.
Management
Federal Employee Unions Endorse Biden for President
The news comes as no surprise following the Trump administration’s concerted efforts to diminish the role of labor groups at federal agencies and cut benefits and protections for frontline federal workers.
Management
History Does Repeat Itself: Lessons from the Polio Vaccine
Creating a safe vaccine is one thing; distributing it fairly and effectively is an altogether different challenge.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Defense Has Warmed to Telework; HHS Launches New Data Site
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
IRS Launches New Enterprise Digitalization Office
The co-led office merges and elevates existing projects focused on digitizing processes and getting away from paper-based case management.
Defense
Foreign Disinformation Campaign Is Targeting Congress, Top Dems Say
Four House lawmakers are demanding an all-member briefing from the FBI.
Management
DHS’ Portland Stunt Could Undermine the Agency For Years, Former Officials Warn
"This is well outside the bounds of what the intent is of the federal protective services' mission," one says.
Employee Policy
Employee unions endorse Biden
The two largest federal employee unions, the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union, announced July 20 their endorsements of Joe Biden for president.
Employee Policy
Trump taps HUD official to lead OPM
The candidate to serve as the nation's top human resources official has a background in computer science and software development, and a controversial record as a conservative commentator.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Navigating the Hatch Act During the Current Era
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to examine how feds can navigate the current era and when they support issues-based causes.
Management