Workforce
Republicans float paying some feds as Dems maintain shutdown approach
A union calling for the shutdown's immediate end is not deterring Democrats, though they continue negotiating a bipartisan measure to pay all workers immediately.
Pay & Benefits
Pay for Trump and Congress continues in shutdown, unless they ask it be held
Some congressional members of both parties have asked that their paychecks be withheld until the current government shutdown can be resolved.
Workforce
Lawmakers decry shutdown layoffs and the Trump administration’s lack of communication about them
The House Democrats pressed for the reversals of recent reductions in force at the Education and Health and Human Services departments.
Workforce
Nation’s largest federal employee union calls for 'clean CR' with backpay guarantee to reopen government
Labor leaders said Monday that a House-passed proposal to fund the government through mid-November with additional language guaranteeing furloughed workers’ backpay is “the best we’re going to get.”
Management
That time one agency shut down for one day and changed government forever
COMMENTARY | Forty-five years ago, the government shutdown was born.
Workforce
House Dems demand furloughs end for nuclear security agency
Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., joined 26 House members to call on the Energy Secretary to end shutdown-related furloughs for roughly 1,400 personnel in the National Nuclear Security Administration that began this week.
Pay & Benefits
Dueling plans to pay feds on-time fail in Senate, though a bipartisan path forward appears
Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., appeared to agree to negotiations Thursday afternoon on a plan to pay federal employees and potentially contractors amid the ongoing government shutdown.
Oversight
Senate Democrats grill inspector general nominees over their independence from Trump
Lawmakers especially criticized the nomination of former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., to lead the Labor Department’s watchdog office.
Pay & Benefits
House Dems urge utilities to keep lights on for feds amid shutdown
With the prospect of their first full missed paycheck just days away, federal workers already are seeking outside support, whether via food banks or side jobs.
Oversight
Whistleblower organizations applaud withdrawal of Trump’s ‘unfit’ nominee to lead oversight office
Media reports in recent weeks found that Paul Ingrassia, who has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, has been accused of sexual harassment and sent racist text messages.
Management
How the president expanded his power without a government
COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers.
Workforce
With funding for courts in question, Congress stuck in shutdown gridlock for day 16
The Senate ensured that the government shutdown would last into next week when it failed to pass a stopgap government spending bill for a 10th time on Thursday.
Oversight
Judiciary Democrats launch watchdog website amid withheld funding from inspector general group
The lawmakers are maintaining hotline information for over 20 OIGs, as watchdogs scramble to set up temporary websites after the White House withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.
Workforce
Top cyber lawmaker wants answers on CISA workforce reductions
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., penned a strongly-worded letter to CISA’s acting director asking for an update on the status of the cyberdefense agency’s staffing posture.
Pay & Benefits
Democrats float immediately paying feds working through shutdown as Congress again rejects bill to reopen government
In addition to the military, some senators say air traffic controllers and other civil servants should get their paychecks on time even as shutdown drags on.
Management
Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member
Congressional Democrats also introduced legislation that would allow federal employees to file appeals in a civil court if the Merit Systems Protection Board is backlogged.
Pay & Benefits
Revived bill aims to ease financial strain on federal employees during shutdown
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., has reintroduced legislation by former Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., that would require regulators to issue new guidance to help prevent financial hardship for federal employees and contractors caused by budget impasse.
Pay & Benefits
Trump says he can pick and choose which feds get back pay. Republicans in Congress mostly disagree
Asked if furloughed workers will get retroactively paid, Trump say “it depends.”
Management
Keep Senate confirmation for top intelligence lawyers, civil liberties groups urge
A provision in the 2026 annual intelligence community bill would lift Senate confirmation rules for the chief counsels of the CIA and ODNI. Advocates warn the change would weaken transparency and public oversight of the intelligence community.
Management