Management
Trump’s Interpreters For Putin Meetings Face Ethical Dilemma
Confidentiality is written into the code of ethics that governs the profession. Will Congress force them to break it to learn the contents of Trump’s private meetings?
Route Fifty
A State Pension Proposal That Promises Near-Term Savings, But Higher Future Costs
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly included the “reamortization” plan in her first budget. It’s proving to be controversial.
Defense
Army Chief Confirms U.S. Will Hand off ISIS Fight in Syria
Gen. Mark Milley is the first senior military official to say the military is proceeding in Syria as Trump wishes.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Set the Stage for the Privacy Debate
Congress also took up bills to upgrade the power grid, combat Chinese tech threats and punish robocallers.
Management
Trump’s ‘Major’ Border Deal Is No Deal for Democrats
The president offered three-year protection for “Dreamers” and immigrants with protective status in exchange for $5.7 billion in border-wall funding. Democrats rejected it out of hand.
Route Fifty
Where Public Sector Union Membership Is Shrinking and Growing
Newly released employment numbers show a small decline last year in the rate of public sector union membership.
Route Fifty
Colorado Joins States Seeking to Boost Electric Vehicle Sales
Automakers are slow to sell EVs in places without zero emission vehicle mandates, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Oversight
Trump’s New Science Adviser Arrived Just in Time for a Shutdown
Science advocacy groups take turns imploring leaders to open agencies.
Nextgov
DHS Pauses Most Contracting Deadlines Until After Shutdown Ends
The extensions only apply to seven department procurement offices and do not override existing posted amendments.
Pay & Benefits
Labor Dept. Denies Request That Excepted Feds Be Eligible for Unemployment
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had asked for the change to bring parity between furloughed employees and those working without pay during the shutdown.
Nextgov
FAA Rule Would Let Drones Fly Over People and At Night Without a Waiver
The move would greatly open the use of small drones but at least one lawmaker is worried about the privacy of people on the ground.
Pay & Benefits
Second Furlough Notice and Another Missed Paycheck Appear Likely for Shutdown Feds
Congress skips town with key deadlines pending for furloughed and excepted federal workers.
Management
Let’s Make This the Last Shutdown. Please.
We can end this folly with a simple piece of legislation.
Oversight
White House Widens Its Clampdown on Congressional Travel
After cancellation of Pelosi trip, OMB instructs agency security teams to get permission.
Oversight
Lawmaker Warns Shutdown Will Stop SEC From Policing Bad Actors
New House Financial Services Committee chairwoman's oversight agenda includes reversing changes at consumer protection bureau.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: The Ethics of Feds' GoFundMe Campaigns, a SmartBenefits Deadline Extension and More
Ethics rules on gifts could restrict crowdfunding efforts, experts say.
Oversight
Waiting for a Shutdown to End in Disaster
Aides on Capitol Hill fear that a dramatic government failure may be the only thing to force President Trump and the Democrats back to the table.
Nextgov
How the Shutdown Could Hurt Government’s IT Recruitment
Furloughed agencies are missing out on peak recruiting season for recent and soon-to-be college grads.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Speaker of the House Can Just Fly Commercial To Afghanistan, Right?
The feud between Trump and Pelosi is gaining steam.
Route Fifty