Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: TSA Workers Call in Sick, Free Classes For Feds and Park Funding Concerns
The shutdown continues to have far-reaching effects.
Management
Federal Employees Did not Sign Up to be Shut Down
The current impasse reflects a pattern of mismanagement of public service talent under the Trump administration.
Management
IRS Faces Busiest Season Under New Tax Law With a Mostly Furloughed Workforce
The White House said Monday the IRS will call back some employees, unpaid, to process 2018 tax refunds this month.
Route Fifty
Places Where Flu Activity Has Been the Highest
Many localities haven’t yet felt the full brunt of influenza season.
Route Fifty
Metros Should Focus on Attracting and Upskilling Workers in ‘Opportunity Industries’
There’s a difference between a good job, a promising job and other jobs, particularly for people without bachelor’s degrees, according to a recent Brookings report.
Tech
Pentagon Seeks a List of Ethical Principles for Using AI in War
An advisory board is drafting guidelines that may help shape worldwide norms for military artificial intelligence — and woo Silicon Valley to defense work.
Oversight
Congress Used To Pass Bipartisan Legislation – Will It Ever Again?
Most Congresses since the 1970s have passed more than 500 laws, ranging from nuclear disarmament to deficit reduction. Will today's bitter partisanship hamstring the new Congress' productivity?
Route Fifty
Bill to Restore Full State, Local Tax Deduction Emerges in New Congress
The “SALT” deduction was curbed by the GOP-backed tax law passed in late 2017.
News
AFGE Seeks to Correct the Record after Member Union Endorses Shutdown
"Every federal employee wants to get back to work," the union said, after National Border Patrol Council officials appeared with President Trump Thursday.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Look to Ensure Furloughed Feds Receive Back Pay When Agencies Reopen
Sponsors of the legislation, which has passed the House as part of an appropriations package, say it could deter future shutdown threats.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Threatens Year-Long Shutdown, Says Feds Don’t Mind Missing Paychecks
“The people that won’t get next week’s pay, or the following weeks pay, if you ever really looked at those people they’d say, ‘Mr. President please keep going,’” Trump said.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen Federal CIO
The bill would elevate the authority of the federal chief information officer and chief information security officer.
Oversight
House Democrats Look to Crack Down on Feds With Conflicts of Interest, Ethics Violations
Reforms are part of large package they say is essential to "restoring integrity in government."
Management
Social Security May Have Overpaid Disability Claims by $657M
Sampling shows failure to verify start of eligibility dates.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Fight Chinese Tech Theft and Supply Chain Threats
The legislation would create a White House office to help the government punch back against economic espionage.
Oversight
Shutdown Roundup: Discounts for Furloughed Feds, Troubles in Indian Country and National Zoo Animals Need to Be Fed
The shutdown is affecting civil servants, contractors and citizens throughout the United States as it enters its third week.
Nextgov
Technology Modernization Fund Gets Nothing in House-Passed Funding Bill
Though the president already threatened to veto the bill if it passes the Senate.
Defense
Analysis: Democrats Are Wrong About Defense Spending
The need for investment is only likely to grow in the coming years.
Route Fifty