Oversight
Proposed Legislation Seeks to Protect Inspectors General From Political Firings
Bill would establish seven-year terms and only allow “for cause” removals.
Oversight
How OSHA Has Failed to Protect America’s Workers From COVID-19
Efforts to create a federal rule to protect workers from infectious diseases were put on ice in President Donald Trump’s first year in office.
Management
Industry Groups Welcome Stimulus Provisions for Federal Contractors
Agencies may reimburse contractors for paid or sick leave if they can’t telework.
Oversight
‘I'll Be the Oversight,’ Trump Says as His Political Appointees Protect Wall Street, Real Estate
Banks, real estate investors and large corporations all got help even before President Donald Trump signed the COVID-19 stimulus package, as bank regulators quietly handed billions to Wall Street.
Oversight
Reports of the Death of Congressional Oversight Are Greatly Exaggerated
Congress wanted an aide to President Trump to testify; Trump ordered him not to. Congress went to court over it, and the court told both sides to leave the courts out of it and negotiate a solution.
Oversight
Viewpoint: Congress Desperately Needs a Contingency Plan
What will happen if lawmakers can no longer meet because of the coronavirus?
Oversight
Bipartisan Bill Would Make It Easier for the Public to See How Agencies Plan to Spend Their Budgets
House and Senate panels advanced the legislation last week.
Pay & Benefits
House Democrats Reintroduce Bill to Protect Telework at Federal Agencies Amid Coronavirus Fears
The measure would prohibit agencies from making across-the-board cuts to telework programs, and require annual goals for participation in such programs.
Oversight
New Bill Would Strengthen Protections for Whistleblowers Who Expose Classified Information
The legislation would make it so that a narrower group of people could be prosecuted for revealing such information.
Management
House Democrats Probe Faulty Test Kits’ Role in Delaying Coronavirus Response
The House Oversight Committee cited ProPublica’s reporting in requesting documents from the Trump administration.
Pay & Benefits
House Passes Bill Granting TSA Employees Full Workers Rights
The Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act would bring the Transportation Security Administration workforce under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, granting them access to the General Schedule pay system and a slew of other rights and protections.
Workforce
The President Is Winning His War on American Institutions
How Trump is destroying the civil service and bending the government to his will.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Call on Justice Dept. IG to Investigate Political Interference
Meddling by the Trump administration could “permanently damage the integrity and independence” of the department, they wrote.
Oversight
Bill Would Require Frequent Congressional Testimony from Acting Defense and National Security Officials
Trump administration's acting officials "limit congressional oversight of our national security," the measure's sponsor says.
Defense
Lawmakers Fire Back at Trump’s Plan to Divert Military Funds to Border Wall
But the bipartisan team of Smith and Thornberry have attracted few other GOPers to the effort.
Workforce
Lawmaker Asks Democratic Presidential Candidates How They Would Rebuild the Federal Workforce
The Trump administration has done “lasting damage to the integrity, morale and retention of our federal workforce,” Virginia congresswoman writes.
Defense
Senator Denies Threatening to Make Defense Secretary's Life 'Hell' If He Cuts AFRICOM Troops
"No, I never said that," Graham said in a brief phone call with Defense One. "It was a good conversation."
Oversight
Whistleblower Advocates Praise Pick to Lead New House Ombudsman Office
The office will train congressional staffers on handling disclosures of potential waste, fraud and abuse.
Oversight
Committee Votes for Subpoena Authority Over Interior's Employee Relocations, Other Documents
"We’re not here as potted plants to be watered when the administration decides it’s time," panel chairman says.
Oversight