Defense
Trump Picks New Top NATO Commander
Top U.S. Air Force general in Europe will lead alliance as Trump officials continue to berate members for more money.
Route Fifty
Maryland Races to Be First State to Ban Foam Containers and Cups
The clock is ticking on a compromise bill that either Gov. Larry Hogan will sign or both chambers might pass with veto-proof majorities.
Route Fifty
States See Sales Tax Growth After Supreme Court Ruling
South Dakota v. Wayfair opened the door for new collections from online retailers, with several states currently considering plans.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Administration Proposes Eliminating Pensions for Some New Feds
A proposal that would offer a more generous government contribution to the TSP marks “the first step” toward ending federal pensions, a union official says.
Management
White House Declines to Help GAO Review Appointee Ethics Disclosures
Watchdog review of Interior, HHS and Small Business Administration recommends legislation to strengthen transparency.
Pay & Benefits
Nurses Picket VA Headquarters to Protest Private Care and Vacancies
Many VA employees believe the Trump administration supports privatization, despite official claims otherwise.
Nextgov
House Lawmakers Join Push for Federal Contractor Back Pay
After a push from senators, 48 House members urged the House Appropriations Committee to include back pay for federal contractors in funding legislation.
Defense
Pentagon Wants to Test A Space-Based Weapon in 2023
Defense officials have asked for $304 million to fund research into space-based lasers and particle beams, and other new forms of missile defense next year.
Nextgov
DOD Needs To Decide Exactly What the CMO’s Authorities Are
The chief management officer was designed to be a powerful position to reform the Defense Department but has yet to get its footing.
Management
Move to Depoliticize Security Clearances Could Face Resistance
Reports of Trump overruling intel agencies raises longtime tensions between branches.
Nextgov
Facial Recognition Bill Would Ban Companies From Sharing Your Face Without Consent
A bipartisan bill introduced this week would strengthen consumer protections around facial recognition technology.
Management
Consumer Rights Are Worthless Without Enforcement
There are basically two ways to enforce a consumer right: privately with a lawsuit or publicly via regulators.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Trump Tries to Veto By Tweeto
The Senate rebuked the president's emergency declaration.
Route Fifty
Opponents of Medicaid Work Requirements Urge Judge to Stop State Plans
But the Trump administration, along with state officials, argued that requiring some recipients to work will strengthen the overall health insurance program.
Route Fifty
Low-Income Renters Face Massive Affordable Housing Shortage
The country's poorest renters face the largest shortage of available and affordable housing compared to other renters, according to a new report.
Defense
Acting SecDef: ‘We Won’t Do Cost-Plus-50’
In his first testimony to Congress as acting Pentagon chief, Shanahan called “erroneous” the reports of the proposal to make allies pay more.
Management
Democrats Look to Block Trump Administration From Closing Overseas Citizenship Services Offices
Lawmakers say the closings would disrupt key services, though agency promises a smooth transition.
Management
NASA Could Go to the Moon Next Year
The agency is willing to ditch its own billion-dollar rocket in favor of a commercial one, to meet a very tight deadline.
Route Fifty
Lawmakers Press Treasury Secretary Mnuchin for Opportunity Zones Oversight
"I want to make sure it works the way it was intended," one Ways and Means Committee member said of the new program.
Management