Tech
Agencies score a record number of A's on the latest Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act scorecard
GAO Information Technology and Cybersecurity Director Carol Harris said the biannual review has saved the government a total of roughly $31.4 billion since it first began in 2005.
Oversight
Nearly 40% of FAA air traffic control systems need urgent updates, GAO reports
Several systems, some which aid in navigation and communications, did not have modernization efforts in place, the GAO said.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers force a vote on eliminating the windfall elimination provision
Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Garrett Graves, R-La., have secured the 218 signatures needed to force a vote on legislation that would kill two controversial tax provisions affecting some feds’ retirement benefits.
Management
Bipartisan deal looks to punt shutdown threat into December
Congressional leaders vow to act quickly to pass stopgap, Secret Service funding, by Sept. 30 deadline.
Tech
GAO to unveil its findings on outdated FAA tech systems
The congressional watchdog's forthcoming report will examine legacy air traffic control systems and the agency’s modernization efforts.
Management
Customer experience bill passes Senate committee
The proposal is one of many that moved through House and Senate committees last week, including a transparency bill that brings additional congressional oversight to the General Services Administration.
Management
Secret Service acknowledges ‘failures’ in protection of Trump in Pennsylvania shooting
The acting director said an investigation revealed communication “deficiencies” between law enforcement personnel.
Workforce
NTEU becomes latest federal worker union to endorse Harris
Unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO previously swapped out their Biden endorsements for the vice president shortly after he announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential campaign in July.
Defense
Air Force braces for new nuclear-war scenarios
With more nuclear players and weapons around the world, U.S. forces need to be ready, a top service leader says.
Management
The Energy Department promised this tribal nation a $32 million solar grant. It’s nearly impossible to access
Washington’s Yakama Nation received both the grant and a $100 million federal loan. Held up by a series of bureaucratic hurdles, the funding could expire before the government lets the tribal nation touch a dime.
Management
Veterans Crisis Line looks to balance anonymity with location tools
Matthew Miller, the executive director of VA’s office of suicide prevention, said crisis line responders “want to be very careful how much we pursue information from the veteran, unless it's absolutely necessary to provide them with the highest quality care.”
Pay & Benefits
Senate advances $3B VA supplemental bill one day before deadline
The chamber approved legislation by voice vote Thursday to provide the Veterans Affairs Department with an extra $3 billion to cover a surge in veterans benefits costs ahead of a potential service disruption.
Management
Shutdown deadline nearing as House stumbles on stopgap spending bill
With just one week left in the session before Congress departs for a six-week election break, there’s not much time for leaders to find consensus, draft a bill, hold votes in both chambers and secure President Joe Biden’s signature.
Workforce
New Vanderbilt center aims to place national security students at unexpected government agencies
Ex-NSA chief Gen. Paul Nakasone envisions students at Vanderbilt’s new Institute of National Security pursuing the roles in non-traditional federal offices, a sign of the evolving nature of today’s threats.
Pay & Benefits
Senators push to avert pay cliff looming over overseas Foreign Service officers in stopgap spending deal
Foreign Service officers stationed outside the U.S. could see an average pay cut of 22% if the provision undergirding legislation aimed at ensuring commensurate pay between overseas federal workers and their domestically located counterparts is not reauthorized.
Pay & Benefits
Medicare quiz for federal retirees
Wondering why you need Medicare if you have lifetime health insurance coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program? This quiz may help.
Pay & Benefits
How did the VA end up with a $3 billion shortfall? Leaders say staff over-delivered
VA officials outlined how a surge in PACT Act claims outpaced initial budget projections in a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday, days before a processing deadline affecting the benefit payments of 7 million veterans.
Workforce
Congressional committees tackle bills governing telework, marijuana and labor unions
While a Senate panel advanced bills improving telework data reporting by federal agencies and codifying the end of the restriction on federal employees’ past use of marijuana, its House counterpart advanced controversial bills aimed at busting federal employee unions and adding leading questions to the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
Pay & Benefits
House passes $3B VA supplemental budget ahead of Friday deadline
The chamber advanced the multi-billion-dollar stopgap bill by voice vote Tuesday evening, giving the Senate three days to pass the legislation to cover a budget shortfall.
Oversight