Oversight
Watchdog: Government Separated 'Thousands' More Children at Border Than Reported
HHS inspector general says the exact number of children to enter the department’s custody as part of family separation policy is "unknown."
Pay & Benefits
Bill Would Give Feds Immediate Financial Relief From Shutdown Through $6,000 Loans
Legislation is a common-sense follow-up to guaranteeing furloughed feds back pay once government reopens, sponsors say.
Oversight
Nancy Pelosi’s Power Move on the State of the Union
President Trump might be able to keep the government closed indefinitely. But the new Democratic speaker can deny him use of the country’s most effective pulpit to make his case to the public.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: Coast Guard Goes Without Pay For the First Time Ever, Denver Helps Feds With Their Mortgages and More
The economic impact of the shutdown is increasing.
Oversight
Play of the Day: A Written State of the Union Is Trump's Nightmare
Will he put stage direction in it?
Route Fifty
Whoopi Goldberg Tells N.Y. Mayor Her Big Complaint With the City
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Rapid DNA testing … D.C. mayor vetoes bill to decriminalize fare evasion … and rural Minnesota broadband.
Route Fifty
One City’s Solution for Airport Employees Working Without Pay
San José is considering a short-term, no-interest loan program to keep air traffic controllers, TSA screeners and customs officers at their posts during the federal shutdown.
Route Fifty
Signs of Rising Support From Governors For Legal Pot, As AG Nominee Vows Not to Crack Down
An advocacy group notes a “dramatic shift” in elected officials' views on marijuana. U.S. Attorney General nominee William Barr says it's time for Congress to take action on the issue.
Management
Watchdog: GSA Ignored Ethics Advice on Constitutionality of Trump Hotel Lease
Inspector general blasts “unwillingness” to consider Emoluments Clause violations.
Nextgov
Researchers: Flaws In Vendor Security Software Could Leave Some Federal Buildings Vulnerable
Poor credential management could let bad actors enter secure buildings, lock doors and download or change federal employee and contractor data.
Oversight
Federal Service Contractors Blitz Capitol Hill to Protest Shutdown
Democratic senators applaud union tactic of delivering unpaid bills to majority leader.
Nextgov
Draft Solicitation for Multibillion DEOS Coming This Month
GSA signaled it is close to issuing a draft request for quotations for the Defense Enterprise Office Solutions contract.
Management
The Citizenship Question Isn’t Quite Dead Yet
A federal judge held that the Trump administration’s desired change to the census violates the law, but the Supreme Court could review the decision.
Oversight
Trump's Chief Advocate on Capitol Hill Has Somehow Survived
But the shutdown is proving to be her greatest challenge yet.
Nextgov
Shutdown Takes Numerous Government Digital Services Offline
It’s also left some websites vulnerable to cyber threats.
Pay & Benefits
It's Official: Furloughed Feds Will Receive Back Pay Once the Shutdown Ends
Bill signed into law on Wednesday also will ensure retroactive compensation for furloughed feds in future shutdowns.
Pay & Benefits
Aid for Furloughed Feds, Blended Retirement Opt-In Window Closes, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
As Congress Continues to Flounder, Agencies Begin Recalling Thousands of Furloughed Workers
Federal agencies are gearing up for a long-term shutdown, bringing on 40,000 more employees to work without pay.
Nextgov