Defense
National Guard Scrambles for Funds After Congress Refuses to Cover Jan. 6-Related Costs
More than a half billion dollars in the hole, the Guard’s chief has ordered the heads of the Army and Air Guards to claw back money from state units.
Management
Senators Reintroduce Bill to Protect Federal Employees Returning to Workplaces
The House passed an earlier version last Congress.
Pay & Benefits
Former Temporary Workers Could Make Catch-Up Pension Contributions Under New Bill
Currently, Federal Employees Retirement System employees who began their careers as temporary workers must work longer than anticipated to receive full retirement benefits.
Defense
Lawmaker Wants to Grill Officers on Critical Race Theory Before Approving Promotions
It’s the latest step Sen. Tom Cotton has proposed to stop “culture wars” within the military.
Management
Biden Signs Three Resolutions Undoing ‘Midnight’ Trump Regulations
The regulations are from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Treasury Department and Environmental Protection Agency.
Defense
House Panel Proposes $1M to Start Renaming Bases That Honor Confederates
The renaming commission plans to finalize the list in fall 2022.
Defense
Afghanistan is ‘Not a Winnable War,’ White House Says as Taliban Storms Country
President Ghani leaves Washington empty handed, as Biden rejects Republican calls to reverse U.S. troop withdrawal.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Spar Over Paid Family Leave for Feds
Democrats argue that the pandemic revealed the need for more expansive leave policies: Republicans dismissed the plan as an unnecessary “perk” for bureaucrats.
Defense
Austin, Milley Push Back on Lawmakers’ ‘Critical Race Theory’ Accusations
Republicans ask why West Point cadets learn about ‘White Rage,’ in pointed exchanges with nation’s first Black defense secretary.
Management
FBI Director Makes the Case for Increased Staffing
He touts the bureau’s low attrition rate and high number of applicants.
Defense
Austin: I Support Taking Military Sex Crime Prosecutions Away From Chain of Command
Defense secretary breaks with Joint Chiefs after they warn that Sen. Gillibrand’s leading UCMJ reform bill goes too far.
Oversight
Republicans Call for Hearing on Possible IRS Leak of Personal Taxpayer Information
Federal agencies took immediate action to investigate how a news organization got ahold of the sensitive information.
Pay & Benefits
Juneteenth Will Be a New Holiday for Feds, Although It’s Unclear When
The holiday would typically be observed Friday, but a lack of lead time to implement a newly passed bill could delay when federal workers see a new day off.
Defense
Biden’s Hair Should Be ‘On Fire’ Over Afghan Translators Being Left Behind, Senator Says
Sen. Angus King proposed solutions, such as sending Afghans to NATO allies temporarily, but said there’s not enough time for Congress to act.
Defense
Navy Needs 'Champion' In Secretary Nominee Del Toro, Analysts Say
The service faces a tight 2022 budget and ship-buying concerns.
Defense
Hundreds of Troops Complain About ‘Woke’ Racism, Extremism Training, Cotton Claims
Senator confronts Austin, releases list of purported examples of Black Lives Matter advocacy, anti-white male bias, and diversity efforts.
Management
As More Climate Migrants Cross Borders Seeking Refuge, Laws Will Need to Adapt
Climate migrants don’t fit neatly into the legal definitions of refugee or migrant, and that can leave them in limbo. The Biden administration is debating how to identify and help them.
Defense
To US Army, Getting Women’s Body Armor Quickly Is an Unfunded Priority
Lawmakers question why the service left $81 million to “accelerate” gear for women and short men out of its latest budget request.
Management
Budget Request for Federal Prisons Agency Isn’t Enough, Union Says
Agency argues the president’s request “provides sufficient funding to cover ...cost increases in pay and benefits, rent costs, and prison and detention operations.”
Oversight