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
Republicans signal targeted federal hiring surge and easier firing as priorities in the next Congress
Lawmakers are looking ahead toward legislation that will bring changes to the federal workforce.
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