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
Congress Considers Future of the Military Draft, while Supreme Court Holds Off
Questions include whether women should be compelled to register, as men are, and whether the draft and draft registration should exist at all.
Defense
Austin Asks Top General For ‘Options’ to Evacuate Afghans
Operation would need authorization from White House, which is not yet “actively pursuing” the idea.
Pay & Benefits
Two New Retirement Savings Bills Could Impact TSP
Officials at the Thrift Savings Plan said both bills aimed at making it easier for older Americans to get ready for retirement require changes to be implemented faster than is possible.
Management
Senate Has Passed Three Resolutions to Undo ‘Midnight’ Trump Regulations
Thursday is the estimated deadline for the Senate to use its fast-track authority under the Congressional Review Act.
Defense
US Air Force Will Cut Turkey from F-35 Production, Kendall Says
The service secretary nominee also signals he’s not in favor of reducing U.S. F-35 purchases.
Oversight
Committee Advances Bill to Protect IGs from Political Retaliation
The sweeping legislation addresses many issues raised during the Trump administration.
Management
Senators Seek to Get Pentagon To Achieve a Clean Audit
A bipartisan bill would penalize the Defense Department for failing.
Management
GovExec Daily: Congress and the Budget Process
The Project on Government Oversight's Liz Hempowicz joined the show to discuss the power of the purse.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Feds’ Paid Parental Leave to Military Troops
Legislation would provide service members with 12 weeks of paid parental leave per year and would extend the benefit to scenarios involving miscarriages and stillbirths.
Oversight
Watchdog Suggests 112 New Actions to Enhance Government Savings and Efficiency
Taxpayer services, prison staffing and infectious disease modeling are some of the areas the Government Accountability Office listed as ripe for reforms.
Defense