Management
Lawmakers Scramble Unsuccessfully to Include Federal Pay Raise in Senate Spending Package
The two-month continuing resolution the Senate passed late Wednesday did not include a pay hike.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Worry New VA Private Care Program Could Be a ‘Train Wreck’
Members task Veterans Affairs secretary with avoiding familiar trappings in implementing the new law.
Route Fifty
For the First Time, a U.S. State Will Have a Majority-Female Legislature
The change comes during a year when women candidates had a strong showing at the state and federal levels.
Management
VA Leadership Turnover Hindered Campaign to Curb Veterans Suicides
Watchdog finds weak metrics in prevention awareness outreach campaign.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Want IG to Dig into Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Crowd
The trio of informal associates is reported to wield outsized influence over personnel and procurement decisions at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Defense
Trump Wanted Out of Syria. It’s Finally Happening.
The announcement is in stark contrast to recent remarks by senior U.S. officials on the presence of troops.
Defense
The Pentagon Thinks Cyber Ops Could Be The Next WMDs
U.S. military planners are asking researchers how to fight back hackers.
Management
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Restores Agency’s Name
Kathy Kraninger reversed a decision by former acting director Mick Mulvaney to change CFPB’s name to BCFP, citing cites costs and other issues.
Pay & Benefits
A Guide to Pay and Benefits During A Shutdown
Although lawmakers are set to consider a two-month continuing resolution to keep agencies open, a shutdown is still possible.
Nextgov
Pentagon to Connect Experimental Background Check App To Other Systems By Year’s End
The Defense Department is testing its nascent app on 1,000 security clearance applicants ahead of an October deadline to take over all investigations work.
Route Fifty
The Promise and Peril of Borrowing Money to Manage Pension Costs
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel last week proposed issuing bonds to improve the city’s pension funding levels. Is that a good idea?
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown-Averting Bill Could Doom 2019 Pay Raise for Feds, At Least for Now
Proposed continuing resolution funding federal agencies until February would be “clean,” making it likely President Trump’s plan to freeze federal civilian employee pay would move forward.
Management
Senate Republicans Prepare Two-Month CR to Avert Shutdown
Bill would keep unfunded agencies open until February.
Nextgov
A Government Shutdown Doesn’t Mean All the IT Shuts Down
Both baseline infrastructure and critical IT systems have to stay on during a shutdown, which means some IT staff won’t be furloughed.
Management
The Most Experienced Job Candidates Aren’t Always The Best
Too many entrepreneurs, especially new ones, shy away from any untested talent.
Management
The VA’s Private Care Program Gave Companies Billions and Vets Longer Waits
Trump wants to supersize a program that spent almost a quarter of its funds on overhead.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Doesn’t Know All the Software on Its Networks—And That’s a Problem
The Defense Department faces “unnecessary” risk without a complete software inventory, according to the agency’s inspector general.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Does Not Like Christmas Parties
There's a lot of handshaking to do.
Route Fifty
Police Layoffs Likely in Houston After Judge’s Pay-Parity Ruling
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Oklahoma’s unaccredited teachers … Connecticut’s new budget chief … and New Mexico’s backlog in unpaid film incentives.
Pay & Benefits