Defense

Political holds hurt military readiness 

COMMENTARY | A veteran contends that a hold on the promotion of an Air Force colonel who urged his peers to talk about racism and its effects on the military is a step backward.

Management

Congress pivots to full-year funding bills after bipartisan agreement on spending levels

Deal would avoid major cuts but appropriators have just 10 days to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Management

10 surprising things about the ‘deep state’—starting with the Roman Emperor Caligula

COMMENTARY | There are basic truths that never go away, a former dean at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy explains.

Defense

One more hold: USAF colonel who urged conversations about racism

Missouri senator blocks promotion of author of “Dear white colonels” op-ed.

Pay & Benefits

That’s a wrap? Congress kicks it without passing fed pay bill, so White House’s 5.2% pay boost on deck

COMMENTARY | The lack of appropriations legislation before the Christmas recess means that federal employees could get their largest pay raise in decades.

Oversight

Senate committee wants VA to ensure providers work to prevent opioid abuse

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and other Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling for action after audits found oversight lapses in opioid prescriptions from non-agency providers. 

Oversight

House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.  

Pay & Benefits

Expanded leave access for veteran feds makes it into defense policy bill

Under a provision of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, federal agencies would be required to incorporate veterans’ military service when determining eligibility for paid leave.

Management

GSA, FBI still at odds over headquarters selection, while House subcommittee smells ‘a rat’

Officials from the two agencies continued airing their dissenting positions over the Greenbelt site selection of the new FBI headquarters Tuesday, while subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., found the site’s connection to WMATA incredulous. 

Management

House approves bill adding more red tape to agency rulemaking process

The Biden administration opposes a measure requiring Senate-confirmed agency head approval of new regulations, arguing it would create a bureaucratic morass.

Management

New bill seeks to codify Trump-era regulation cut rule

Rep. Mike Gallagher’s (R-Wisc.) legislation aims to make permanent the Trump executive order that sought to repeal two regulations for each one introduced.

Workforce

Bipartisan bill would let VA medical employees grieve compensation mistakes

Unlike most federal workers, medical professionals at the Veterans Affairs Department are unable to negotiate over compensation adjustments like payroll errors.

Defense

Tuberville says he'll drop his hold on most military promotions

Alabama senator says he will keep the brakes on some of the most senior officers’ nominations.

Management

Porter reintroduces a bill that would form a natural disaster safety board

The California congresswoman redrafted a bill with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to establish an agency to help investigate and mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the U.S.

Pay & Benefits

Democrats reintroduce bill to improve locality pay for some federal jobs

The Locality Pay Equity Act would ensure that locality pay determinations, currently bifurcated between the General Schedule and Federal Wage System pay scales, would be consistent for most federal employees.

Management

Congress averts shutdown after Senate approves two-tiered CR

President Biden is expected to sign the measure to keep agencies funded past Friday.

Defense

Tuberville's blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by Senate panel

The Republican senator has been objecting to the time-saving unanimous consent process since the spring to display his opposition to a policy that grants members of the armed services time off and travel reimbursement when seeking an abortion in states where it remains unrestricted.