Oversight
The Most Scandal-Plagued U.S. Visa Program Lives On Because Congress Is Too Busy To Fix It
The golden visa program just got its 19th extension last week.
Management
After Budget Cuts, the IRS’ Work Against Tax Cheats Is Facing 'Collapse'
Audits and criminal referrals are down sharply since Congress cut the tax agency’s budget and management changed priorities.
Oversight
Play of the Day: More Presidential Alerts Coming To Your Phone
Maybe Trump thinks it's just a text message.
Tech
Trump Agency Website Changes Continue to Raise Concerns
SBA defends its handling of Spanish-language materials after Sen. Cardin complains.
Management
How Contractor Fraud Is Reported Shouldn’t Affect How It Gets Investigated
There are two main ways that a whistleblower can sound the alarm. Their outcomes can be very different.
News
Trump Feared Transition Officials Were ‘Stealing’ His Money
In The Fifth Risk, Michael Lewis chronicles the administration’s chaotic struggle to take the reins of government.
Nextgov
There’s One Less Option for Agencies Now on GSA’s Next-Gen Telecom Contract
With last year’s acquisition of Level 3 by CenturyLink, the companies’ offerings on the Enterprise Infrastructure Services contract have been consolidated.
Nextgov
Security Clearances Won’t Get in the Way of Responding to Election Cyber Threats, Officials Say
One intel leader urged a “just get it done, we’ll worry about the consequences later” approach to countering threats on Election Day.
Management
OPM Calls on Agencies to Implement Coaching Programs for Employees
Coaches provide confidential format to assist in career development, OPM says.
Nextgov
IG: Incompatible Tech Added to Family Separation Policy Chaos
The agencies tracking parents and children separated at the border had to email data and compile spreadsheets, an auditor found.
Pay & Benefits
A Snag in Loan Forgiveness for Feds, Census as a Second Job and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
IRS Enforcement of Tip Reporting Leaves Billions on the Table
Watchdog recommends broader audits of voluntary income declarations.
Pay & Benefits
USPS Set to Run Out of Postal Retiree Health Care Funding in 12 Years
Options could include cutting benefits or increasing retirees’ share of premiums, GAO says.
Tech
Trump Is Not Texting You
What should be a routine, required national test of the wireless emergency alert system has become a crucible for public distrust.
Oversight
This Is No ‘Standard’ FBI Background Investigation
Background investigations are typically assignments for newly minted FBI special agents. Not the one under way that involves the Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Management
The Urgency of Strengthening and Redefining HR
The skills gap is just the tip of the iceberg.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Was a Millionaire Toddler
A new report documents Donald Trump's early wealth.
Management
Humans Can’t Control Anything—Except Our Own Happiness
Stoicism holds that the key to a good, happy life is the cultivation of an excellent mental state.
Nextgov
DHS Restructures Research Office to Meet Emerging Threats Head On
The new structure will also keep the office from working on projects that will never see the light of day.
Management