Management
John Ratcliffe Will Not Become Director Of National Intelligence
President Donald Trump tweeted the news Friday afternoon.
Nextgov
Will Hurd, The Most Vocal Lawmaker on Federal IT Issues, Won’t Seek Reelection
The three-term congressman plans to keep pushing on government IT issues from the private sector.
Management
USPS Regains a Functioning Governing Board for the First Time in Five Years
Five Trump appointees sit on the panel, finally reinstating its quorum.
Management
State Department Reforms Have Been Hindered by Changes in Staff and Priorities, Watchdog Finds
One initiative is complete, 13 are ongoing, two were stalled and one was terminated, GAO says.
Workforce
Lawmakers Look to Virtual Reality for Training Feds
"It's not just a video game," says spokeswoman for New York Democrat who wrote bill creating advisory committee.
Nextgov
CISA Is Using Drones to Help Secure Critical Infrastructure
The aircraft will be used to both shoot footage of security exercises and simulate real-world drone attacks, officials said.
Management
Viewpoint: Trump Is Breaking the System of Political Appointments
There’s a tension built into the constitutional system—and the president is pushing it to the limit.
Nextgov
What To Expect From Future FITARA Scorecards
GAO’s FITARA scorecard lead offers some insight into potential additions—and subtractions—from the biannual federal IT report card.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Wrapping Up The Detroit Debates
Joe Biden is still the frontrunner for the 2020 Democrats.
Route Fifty
Employers Barred from Asking for Job Applicant Wage Histories in More and More States
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Putting the city’s light-rail vision to a vote in Phoenix … Looking for a regulatory sweet spot for housing in Des Moines ... Declaring a water emergency in New Jersey.
Route Fifty
Almost Half of State Supreme Courts Have Only White Judges, Report Finds
In many states, the highest court lacks diversity. Thirteen supreme courts have never had a person of color serve on the bench, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Restore Administrative Law Judges to Competitive Service
President Trump last year signed an executive order moving ALJs into the excepted service, claiming it was required to comply with a Supreme Court decision. But stakeholders argued it politicized the job.
Oversight
Federal Contract Spending Grew 9% in 2018, Increasing for the Third Straight Year
Agencies spent $559 billion on prime and unclassified contracts.
Nextgov
Cisco Agrees to $8.6 Million Settlement After Selling Agencies Insecure Tech
The company’s video surveillance manager, which was used by the Pentagon, DHS, NASA and others, contained vulnerabilities that would let hackers view, modify and disable video feeds at government facilities.
Management
Senate Sends 2-Year Budget Deal to Trump, Shifting Focus to Shutdown-Averting Spending Bills
Lawmakers now have through Sept. 30 to pass appropriations.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Posts Modest Gains in July, Although International Stocks Fall
Most funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program saw only slight increases last month.
Management
Democrats Battle Over the Past and Present of Immigration
The 2020 presidential candidates know they’re against Donald Trump, but they are sharply divided over what kind of enforcement should be used at the border.
Management
N.C. Shut Down a Group Home Last Year. The U.S. Just Gave It a Contract To House Migrant Children
As the Office of Refugee Resettlement rapidly expands its shelter network, it’s adding providers with little experience and troubling track records.
Defense