Transition

Musk and Ramaswamy to confront Congress in struggle for control of the public purse

The duo will need to garner support from hundreds of members of Congress for any of their suggested spending cuts as co-chairs of the nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, to become law. That is an uphill slog many have failed at before.

Breaking News Management

Congress averts shutdown with three-month stopgap at 11th hour

The Senate sent the bill to the president's desk after the deadline, but shutdown activities had ceased.

Updated Management

Agencies begin sending furlough notices as shutdown nears

House Republicans are closing in on a plan C to avert agency closures, but its fate remains uncertain.

Management

Government shutdowns hurt federal worker morale, long after paychecks resume − especially for those considered ‘nonessential’

COMMENTARY | People don’t leave government because of a single event like a shutdown, but negative experiences accumulate over time.

Workforce

Federal employee unions dismayed—but not surprised—by sudden shutdown threat

President-elect Trump and Elon Musk on Wednesday blew up a bipartisan deal to fund the government past this week, increasing the odds of a government shutdown Saturday.

Updated Management

Latest Republican plan to avert government shutdown fails with one day until agencies shutter

Republicans had hoped a stopgap measure that suspended the debt ceiling would earn Democratic support and avoid Trump’s wrath, but Congress remains on a shutdown path.

Management

Trump seeks to spike stopgap funding bill, sending Congress into chaos days before shutdown

A short-term spending bill appeared dead less than 24 hours after its introduction and less than three days before agencies must shutter.

Pay & Benefits

Bill to repeal windfall elimination provision clears a key Senate hurdle

The Senate voted 73-27 to invoke cloture on the Social Security Fairness Act, clearing the way for a final vote to pass the bill later this week.

Management

Bill enshrining skills-based hiring heads to Biden’s desk

The Senate last week passed the Chance to Compete Act by unanimous consent, and the House followed suit with a voice vote Monday.

Oversight

Fed employee advocate Connolly to lead Democrats on House Oversight Committee

The Virginia Democrat could be a leading opponent to Trump’s plans for overhauling the civil service.

Updated Management

Congress aims to punt agency funding to March, but hurdles remain ahead of shutdown deadline

White House has warned that such a plan, without additional funds, could lead to hiring freezes at agencies.

Workforce

Last-ditch effort to block Schedule F’s return thwarted by Senate Republicans

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., sought unanimous consent on the Senate floor to pass the Saving the Civil Service Act, but his motion was opposed by Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.

Workforce

Federal employees could be more easily removed under new House bill 

Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s, R-Ga., MERIT Act proposes radical civil service reforms, including repealing statutes governing unacceptable performance actions, ending union grievances based on adverse personnel actions and prohibiting furlough appeals. 

Oversight

Legislation to promote better federal building security set to be signed into law

Multiple watchdogs have recently criticized the effectiveness of security at government facilities.

Oversight

3 key findings on the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

The congressional panel investigating assassination attempts on Donald Trump issued its final report this week.

Pay & Benefits

Schumer tells feds he’ll call a vote on windfall elimination provision repeal

The Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal to controversial tax provisions affecting some federal workers and retirees, has 63 sponsors in the Senate, more than the 60 votes needed to force a vote on the measure.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers call on Biden to grant feds a 4.5% raise in 2025, restoring pay parity

President Biden previously came under fire from federal employee groups and some lawmakers for proposing only a 2.0% average pay raise for civilian workers, abandoning a longstanding Democratic priority.

Management

House committee piles on criticism of DeJoy’s postal overhaul plans

USPS’ inspector general said there hasn’t yet been improvements to service timeliness and reliability.

Management

Federal telework would be capped under a new House bill

Rep. Andy Ogles’ Show Up To Work Act would limit telework at federal agencies to 25% per pay period and require agency heads to certify performance gains for individual waivers.