Oversight
Trump’s New Science Adviser Arrived Just in Time for a Shutdown
Science advocacy groups take turns imploring leaders to open agencies.
Nextgov
DHS Pauses Most Contracting Deadlines Until After Shutdown Ends
The extensions only apply to seven department procurement offices and do not override existing posted amendments.
Pay & Benefits
Labor Dept. Denies Request That Excepted Feds Be Eligible for Unemployment
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had asked for the change to bring parity between furloughed employees and those working without pay during the shutdown.
Insights
Flash Poll: Adapting to Regulations in the Age of Innovation
New technologies and markets are delivering both innovation and disruption to communities and states. Many agencies are still working to adapt to the new regulations stemming from these emerging industries.
Nextgov
FAA Rule Would Let Drones Fly Over People and At Night Without a Waiver
The move would greatly open the use of small drones but at least one lawmaker is worried about the privacy of people on the ground.
Pay & Benefits
Second Furlough Notice and Another Missed Paycheck Appear Likely for Shutdown Feds
Congress skips town with key deadlines pending for furloughed and excepted federal workers.
Insights
Digital Disaster Resilience in State and Local Government
When an emergency hits, communities must come together to adequately respond to and transition out of catastrophe. Ensuring a timely and effective response requires a whole-of-government effort — including teams on the front lines of digital service delivery.
Management
Let’s Make This the Last Shutdown. Please.
We can end this folly with a simple piece of legislation.
Oversight
White House Widens Its Clampdown on Congressional Travel
After cancellation of Pelosi trip, OMB instructs agency security teams to get permission.
Oversight
Lawmaker Warns Shutdown Will Stop SEC From Policing Bad Actors
New House Financial Services Committee chairwoman's oversight agenda includes reversing changes at consumer protection bureau.
Pay & Benefits
Shutdown Roundup: The Ethics of Feds' GoFundMe Campaigns, a SmartBenefits Deadline Extension and More
Ethics rules on gifts could restrict crowdfunding efforts, experts say.
Oversight
Waiting for a Shutdown to End in Disaster
Aides on Capitol Hill fear that a dramatic government failure may be the only thing to force President Trump and the Democrats back to the table.
Nextgov
How the Shutdown Could Hurt Government’s IT Recruitment
Furloughed agencies are missing out on peak recruiting season for recent and soon-to-be college grads.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Speaker of the House Can Just Fly Commercial To Afghanistan, Right?
The feud between Trump and Pelosi is gaining steam.
Route Fifty
Trump Administration Tries to Thwart States’ Unemployment Plan
STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Arizona’s rainy-day fund … Iowa mayor arrested for pot-growing operation … and Seattle mayor will pursue new streetcar.
Route Fifty
White House Snubs Disaster Relief Funds Proposed in House Bill
The $14 billion package lawmakers passed this week appears to be going nowhere fast—at least for now.
Route Fifty
Sky-High Affordability Gap Strains Ski Town Economies
Mountain communities across the West huddle in Vail to discuss the challenges of high costs of living, low-paying jobs and a scarcity of places to live.
Pay & Benefits
State Department Defends Unusual Recall of Furloughed Staffers, With Pay
Management, budget and legal teams approved emergency movement of funds.
Defense
Vaporizing Another Norm, Trump Goes Partisan Inside the Pentagon
The president uses a missile-defense policy rollout to bash Democrats before the military’s senior leaders.
Management