Defense
Trump’s Abrupt Syria Reversal Confounds His Own Administration, GOP Allies
Hours later, White House officials had more questions than answers about the withdrawal.
Route Fifty
Tough But Important Lessons From San Diego’s 2017 Hepatitis A Emergency
A California state auditor’s report focuses much attention on a slow public health response as the highly-contagious liver disease spread.
Pay & Benefits
Despite Looming Freeze, Last-Minute Bills to Give Feds Extra Pay Gain Steam
Good news for furloughed workers and Secret Service agents could be on the horizon.
Pay & Benefits
If You’re Confused About Survivor Benefits, You’re Not Alone
A guide to annuity options.
Management
Trump Says He Won’t Sign Spending Bill, Heightening Shutdown Fears
Office of Management and Budget has instructed agencies to begin informing employees of whether they will be furloughed.
Nextgov
Plan to Dumb-Down the Power Grid In Name of Cybersecurity Passes Senate
The bill would establish and fund a public-private partnership to look at retro, analog options for securing the nation’s electric grid from digital threats.
Management
A Research-Backed Reason Not To Worry About What Your Peers Think Of You
Can we ever really know what our colleagues think about us? A new study suggests we already do.
Oversight
It May Take A While For House Democrats To Catch Up With The Homeland Security Secretary
Kirstjen Nielsen is filling her schedule with overseas travel, making it tough for Democrats to schedule testimony while on the job.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Month-to-Month Government
Government funding comes in fits and starts in the United States.
Route Fifty
’Tis the Season for One of the Most Underreported Crimes
Package thefts aren’t a new problem for police departments, some of which are using creative tactics in order to nab “porch pirates.”
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