Congress
Congressional Dems urge OPM to fully cover IVF in feds’ insurance program
More than 175 Democratic lawmakers said the federal government must do more to protect access to health services like in-vitro fertilization in light of a recent Alabama court ruling that effectively banned the procedure alongside abortion services.
New bill would create federal grant program for digital upskilling
The proposed Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act would add digital skills training to grant programs that provide education and professional development services in an effort to boost the talent pipeline.
Senate rejects impeachment articles against DHS Secretary Mayorkas
In a 51-49 vote along party lines, Senate Democrats dismissed impeachment charges Wednesday against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for not meeting the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors.
Texas Republicans urge Senate Democrats to give the DHS secretary a full impeachment trial
The House voted to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas on Feb. 13 over charges of refusing to enforce the law and “breach of public trust.”
VA is trimming its PACT Act claims backlog, but enrollees may be on the ‘low side’
Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough says that the department is quickly processing new claims made by veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service, thanks, in part, to robust hiring, but warns that those claims may not have hit their peak yet.
Bill wants to solve the coverage gap for National Guard and reservists by extending VA eligibility
Legislation from Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., proposes to expand VA health care benefits to personnel in the reserve components when not on active duty to help ensure “force readiness.”
Senate Republicans push for Mayorkas impeachment trial
Democrats say the charges are based on policy disputes rather than the “high crimes and misdemeanors” threshold of an impeachable offense.
House advances spy power reauthorization bill without warrant measure
The bill — which represents a win for Biden administration policy objectives — will now be taken up in the Senate, with a week to go before the authority sunsets.
Skills-based hiring for contractors advances in the House
The Allowing Contractors to Choose Employees for Select Skills Act would remove degree requirements from federal contract work in some instances.
Updated
House panel advances bills to improve FEHBP oversight and fix CBP retirement snafu
A 2022 Government Accountability Office report estimated that ineligible family members covered through the federal government’s employer-sponsored health care program could cost the government between $250 million and $3 billion per year.
Maryland delegation to launch bipartisan push for funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge
A pending bill would allow the state to avoid incurring 10% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Senate action on DHS chief impeachment coming this week
With the slim majority Democrats have in the Senate, it’s likely the two articles of impeachment go nowhere and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas remains in his role.
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