Oversight
GovExec Daily: The Coronavirus Response During the Transition
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss the COVID-19 crisis amid vaccine news and the transfer of power.
Management
GSA Agrees to Brief Congress on Delayed Transition — Next Week
Briefings will occur on November 30 and will be closed to the press.
Defense
Personality, Not Policy, Will Determine Top House Armed Services Republican
The pick may telegraph whether the GOP intends a cooperative or combative approach to the Biden administration.
Management
Democrats Demand GSA Briefing on Delayed Presidential Transition By Monday
House Democrats also question actions by the White House in the run-up to the election.
Oversight
House Considers New Whistleblower Protection Rules
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s proposal would protect the identities of federal whistleblowers.
Defense
Trump Orders Hasty Afghanistan, Iraq Drawdowns to Beat Biden Inauguration
Majority Leader McConnell leads chorus of bipartisan, shocked opposition to the 11th hour order read by Acting Defense Secretary Miller.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Republicans Propose 2021 Pay Freeze for Feds One Month Before Deadline to Avoid Shutdown
President Trump has proposed a 1% across-the-board raise for federal employees.
Management
Top House Democrats Call on Agencies to Preserve Records for Transition
They sent letters to over 50 agencies about their statutory duties, despite the president contesting the election.
Management
GovExec Daily: The Races to Watch on Election Night
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the contests federal employees will want to monitor.
Management
Coalition of 28 Labor Groups Urges Congress to Block Trump Order Creating Schedule F
Federal Worker Alliance sends a letter to Democratic appropriators urging them to include language in the next round of spending legislation to rescind President Trump’s executive order.
Oversight
Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Seeks to Formally Authorize IG Website
Oversight.gov was created in 2017 to consolidate IG reports for easy access.
Management
House Democrats Renew Calls for Bill Giving Election Agency More Funding and Responsibility
The “For the People Act” would bolster funding and responsibilities for the Election Assistance Commission.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Seek to Increase Retiree COLA for Next Year to 3%
Legislation would set the annual increase in Social Security and federal retiree annuities at 3%, rather than the 1.3% increase currently slated for 2021, and would permanently increase adjustments in future years.
Management
House Democrats Seek to Reduce Corporate Influence in the Federal Government
A group of progressive-leaning House Democrats urged the Senate to not confirm lobbyists or C-suite officials for political appointments.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Make Payroll Tax Deferral Optional
Legislation requiring workers, including federal employees and military service members, to consent in writing to have their Social Security taxes deferred between now and the end of the year has the support of nearly 20 employee groups.
Pay & Benefits
Higher TSP Contributions Kick In, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Revive Push to Make Feds’ Payroll Tax Deferral Optional
The effort to pressure the Trump administration into allowing federal employees to opt out of the controversial initiative to delay collection of Social Security taxes until next year is now bipartisan.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect All Feds’ Leave Following COVID
Although OPM’s current policy only waives the 30-day annual leave cap for essential employees who are unable to use their leave due to their duties responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats in Congress want to extend the waiver to all federal workers.
Management
President Signs Bill to Allow Electric Vehicle Charges on Government Purchase Cards
The bipartisan bill saves taxpayers money and boosts energy efficiency, senators say.
Management