Oversight
Lawmakers Look to Further Strengthen Whistleblower Protections
Bills in the House and Senate would ban federal officials from blocking employees from sharing information with Congress, prohibit retaliatory investigations and protect more workers.
Defense
Trump Sidesteps Congress To Install Controversial Pentagon Nominee
A legal loophole may allow Tata to take the top job without Senate confirmation at all.
Management
White House Objects to Language Preventing OPM-GSA Merger and Other Workforce Provisions in House 'Minibus' Spending Bill
Veto threat also lists objections to provisions that would undermine the White House’s approach to labor-management relations.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Establish Multi-Agency Effort for Carbon Removal
A committee would develop a strategic plan for research and development on carbon dioxide removal in the air, lands and oceans.
Defense
GOP Senators Stall Tata Nomination for Top Pentagon Post
After Islamophobic remarks, Trump’s controversial pick to be Defense Department’s policy chief is in troubled waters.
Management
Expanded Telework Could Save Individual Feds $2.5K-$4K Annually
Lessons from the pandemic have big implications for federal offices and employees, lawmakers and experts say.
Management
Senate GOP’s Coronavirus Relief Package Would Fund Controversial Plan to Rebuild FBI Headquarters in D.C.
The Trump administration in 2017 scrapped a decade-long plan to reconstruct the facility in the Washington suburbs.
Oversight
Lawmakers From Both Parties Seek Greater Vaccine Oversight
Under “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration hopes to develop and distribute a vaccine for COVID-19 by early 2021.
Oversight
Advocacy Groups Press Congress to Support Pandemic Whistleblower Protection Legislation
This comes as Congress is working on the next massive coronavirus relief package.
Defense
Progressives Mount Assault on Defense Spending Ahead of Stimulus Package, Election
During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, one Democrat questioned defense firms access to coronavirus stimulus money.
Management
Senate Democrats Urge Vote on Bill that Would Federalize the Medical Supply Chain, Bolster Transparency
"There is no way for this country to have enough personal protective equipment...without the federal government stepping up," said one senator.
Pay & Benefits
A Push to Get Feds More Help During the Coronavirus Pandemic
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Defense
Foreign Disinformation Campaign Is Targeting Congress, Top Dems Say
Four House lawmakers are demanding an all-member briefing from the FBI.
Management
Senate Confirms Acting OMB Chief to Be Permanent Director
Russell Vought has said he will "be as responsive as we possibly can" to Congress and prioritize requests from overseers related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Management
Why Congress Can’t Curb Trump’s Power to Commute Stone’s Sentence and Pardon Others
A former lawyer for the US House of Representatives explains the constitutional and historical limits barring Congress from checking the president's clemency powers.
Management
Senate Democrat Asks Agencies for Their Reopening Plans
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., wants to ensure employees are protected from the novel coronavirus upon return.
Defense
To Block Trump's Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down
Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.
Pay & Benefits
House Lawmakers Call for Pay Parity Between Military and Civilian Federal Workers
Although the House version of a defense policy bill includes a 3% pay increase for members of the military in 2021, an appropriations bill under consideration effectively endorses only a 1% raise for civilians.
Oversight
Lawmakers Seek to Ensure Agencies Comply with Watchdog Review of WHO Funding Halt
They cited the Trump administration’s “history of obstruction.”
Pay & Benefits