Management
Congress Moves to Block OPM-GSA Merger
A provision in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act would first require an independent study of the challenges facing the Office of Personnel Management.
Oversight
Analysis: Impeachment Gets Weird
Democratic Chairman Jerry Nadler virtually lost control of Monday's House Judiciary Committee hearing.
Management
Democratic Senators Urge Social Security to Restore Telework
Lawmakers ask the agency to reconsider its decision to end a 6-year-old pilot program, citing concerns about the burden it places on employees and productivity.
Workforce
Maryland Senator Says President is the 'Wild Card' in Spending Negotiations
While Democrats and Republicans negotiate on appropriations, it’s unclear how the president will react.
Pay & Benefits
White House, Democrats Reach Deal to Provide Paid Family Leave to Feds
A tentative agreement on the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act would provide all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave each year.
Oversight
Viewpoint: The Obscure—but Critical—Rules the Trump Administration Has Sought to Corrupt
I was part of a team that carefully developed a rule-making process in compliance with both the Constitution and Congress’s laws. Can the same be said now?
Oversight
Senator Questions Spending on Sea Lion Grants, Shutdowns and More
Annual report identifies “wasteful” federal spending as well as solutions.
Oversight
Maloney Takes On Oversight Committee Chairmanship at a Critical Time
“It’s an incredibly difficult time to forecast the role of oversight on Capitol Hill,” says one expert.
Management
Lawmakers Demand Explanation for Social Security Telework Cuts
Friday marked the final day of a six-year-old telework pilot program for roughly 12,000 employees of the Social Security Administration’s operations agencies, after Commissioner Andrew Saul summarily ended it.
Management
Senate Democrats Push for Union Protections in Spending Package
Language in a House-passed appropriations bill blocking implementation of union contracts imposed by a federal impasses panel remains subject to negotiation.
Oversight
Senator Calls on State Dept. to Investigate Appointees’ Use of Personal Devices for Work
Impeachment hearing revelations highlight a larger security problem, Democrat says.
Pay & Benefits
Military Pay Raise Included in Shutdown-Averting Measure, But No Word on Civilian Increase
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Democratic Steering Committee Favors Maloney for Oversight Committee Chair
Full Democratic caucus will vote on Wednesday.
Oversight
Lack of Staff and Resources Continue to Strain the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Epstein’s death this summer while in federal custody highlighted these long-term issues.
Management
Trade Association Advises Federal Contractors to Start Preparing for a Potential Shutdown Now
"Your actions won’t be wasted," said the group’s executive vice president and counsel.
Oversight
Election Commission Needs More Authority In Face of 2020 Threats, Report Finds
“The federal government regulates colored pencils . . . more strictly than it does America’s election infrastructure,” the nonpartisan Brennan Center notes.
Oversight
McConnell Asked White House For Sanctions Position, Dem Senator Says
The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference.
Oversight
Agencies Are Relying More on Alternatives to Contractor Suspension and Debarment
Annual report shows that exclusions from doing business with the government have decreased in recent years, yet are still up from 2009.
Oversight
What’s at Stake If Sen. Rand Paul Names the Ukraine Whistleblower
While there might not be legal implications, the move could hurt national security and have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.
Oversight