Management
USDA Continues Controversial Call-Backs of Furloughed Employees
Farm Service Agency to resume full services on Thursday.
Management
FBI Field Offices Collect Food Donations for Unpaid Employees
Normally quiet and nonpolitical agents association publishes shutdown damage report.
Nextgov
Former Google Chief to Chair Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group
Eric Schmidt will join 14 other tech experts on the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Warns Feds Against Sick-Outs
Although the Trump administration was lenient toward absences at the start of the partial government shutdown, new guidance seeks to tamp down on pseudo-strikes at unfunded agencies.
Nextgov
Latest Bills to End Shutdown Include $25 Million Bump to Technology Modernization Fund
Previous spending packages didn’t allocate any additional money for the revolving fund.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Republicans to Hold First Vote to Reopen Government and Give Feds a Raise
Both chambers have separate plans to fund agencies. These plans are not likely to become law, but could jumpstart negotiations.
Defense
Zap: How Electric Therapy Is Curing Navy SEALs of PTSD … And Could Remake Brain Science
Hundreds of vets have tried out an experimental new treatment that could change how the world addresses mental disorders.
Management
Shutdown’s Economic Impact Is A Forceful Reminder Of Why Government Matters
The shutdown is highlighting the crucial role government plays in the lives of citizens and businesses, offering a reminder of its fundamental value to the economy.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: TSA Absentee Rate Hits 10 Percent, Feds' Side Hustles and More
The government shutdown has affected airport wait times.
Pay & Benefits
Will Cities Pay Federal Workers During the Shutdown?
San Jose is offering its airport workers loans during the shutdown. More cities are following.
Defense
Ex-Envoy to the Anti-ISIS Coalition Says Trump Has ‘No Plan’ for What’s Next in Syria
Brett McGurk faulted the president for completely reversing Syria policy after one telephone conversation with Turkey’s president.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Thanks Feds For Enduring the Shutdown
Donald Trump took to Twitter to offer his gratitude in his own special way.
Route Fifty
What Truckers Want in Exchange for Interstate Tolls
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Sheltering the homeless amid bitter cold … Helena mayor’s journey to city hall from Liberia … and N.Y. governor cuts municipal aid.
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