Oversight
New bill would establish an IG for the Supreme Court
The Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act calls for a new inspector general’s office to investigate alleged misconduct and prevent waste, fraud and abuse across the judicial branch.
Pay & Benefits
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.
Workforce
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.
Oversight
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.
Management
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.”
Pay & Benefits
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.
Pay & Benefits
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.”
Management
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.
Management
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.
Management
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
Pay & Benefits
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.
Management
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.
Management
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.
Workforce
Senators take another crack at improving federal telework data
The latest bipartisan bill aimed at better measuring the workplace flexibility’s effectiveness would require agencies to publish their telework policies, as well as implement already planned improvements to data collection on its usage.
Management
New bill would convert unused government buildings into affordable housing
Reps. Adam Schiff and Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., cosponsored legislation that would direct the Housing and Urban Development Secretary to help refashion certain federal, state and local government properties into affordable residential rental projects.
Oversight
Bill would axe classified access for feds charged with a crime
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., appears tailored to allegations of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, but would remove almost any federal employee’s access if they were charged with specific offenses.
Management
House Speaker to deliver Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate in early April
It’s unlikely the Homeland Security secretary will be removed from office, but the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy.
Management
The continuing irresolution to fund the federal government
COMMENTARY | Congress just keeps getting worse at passing spending bills. There are consequences.
Pay & Benefits
House conservatives recycle federal worker pay and benefit cuts in budget document
The Republican Study Committee’s fiscal 2025 budget plan would drastically cut federal workers’ retirement and health care benefits and end across-the-board annual pay hikes.
Oversight
House GOP members want info on IRS’ alleged AI ‘financial surveillance’ of citizens
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., requested more details about the tax agency’s use of artificial intelligence in its enforcement efforts in a letter published Wednesday.
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