Management
Could Congress Reverse Trump’s Decision to Pull Troops Out of Syria?
Since the 1940s, Congress has largely let the president make decisions, while members of the House and Senate endorse or condemn those actions from the sidelines.
Management
Interior Department Says It Has Made Great Strides in Eliminating Systemic Harassment
Lawmakers applaud efforts, but say the progress is unproven as IG is still investigating harassment cases.
Pay & Benefits
Democratic Senators Renew Push for Contractors to Receive Shutdown Back Pay
The House previously approved a similar measure, but the White House opposed it.
Management
More Than 30 Lawmakers Urge Appropriators to Block Funding for USDA Science Agency Relocations
With most employees at the two research agencies declining to move to Kansas City, Democrats in both the House and Senate are urging appropriators to adopt House-passed language prohibiting spending on the move.
Management
Republican Senators Introduce Bill to Relocate Major Federal Agencies Outside of D.C.
Ninety-percent of positions in 10 departments would be moved to economically distressed areas.
Oversight
Cummings’ Leadership on Federal Employee Issues, Bipartisanship Could Be Hard to Replicate
The impeachment inquiry against President Trump is likely to dominate the next Oversight and Reform Committee chair’s agenda, observers say.
Oversight
Federal Employees Lose a Powerful Advocate With Death of Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings
The Oversight and Reform chairman was a “fierce advocate for the public interest,” one observer says.
Workforce
'The Worst Period of My Life': Career Fed Reflects on Being Caught Between Congressional and Agency Demands
"I don't envy them," former official says of current employees in the middle of the Trump administration's standoff with Congress.
Management
Top Commerce Officials Played Key Role in Drafting Hurricane Statement Supporting Trump, NOAA Chief Says
The White House chief of staff was also involved, the administrator told Congress.
Pay & Benefits
Advocates: Congress 'Very Close' to Passing Paid Family Leave for Feds
Union officials and members are hopeful a Defense policy bill provision providing 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child and other medical issues will make it into law.
Management
Report: Executive Branch Should Establish an Interagency Task Force to Combat Foreign Election Inference
Bipartisan Senate report recommends a media literacy initiative and a system for alerting people targeted with disinformation.
Oversight
Federal Election Commission Faces Growing Backlog in Enforcement Docket
A long-standing problem is exacerbated by the FEC’s recent loss of a quorum.
Oversight
Grassley Deviates From Other Senate Republicans and Supports Ukraine Whistleblower
Senator says he believes the whistleblower followed the law and should be protected.
Management
Citing Need to Protect Career Employees, Pompeo Says State Won't Comply With Initial Impeachment Inquiry Requests
Congress is seeking to "intimidate, bully and treat improperly" career staff, says President Trump's top diplomat.
Oversight
Trump’s Intelligence Chief Didn’t Make Anyone Happy
Joseph Maguire did not endorse the explosive allegations of an anonymous whistleblower, but neither did he rise to the president’s defense.
Management
Senate’s Election Security Funding Bill Leaves a Key Agency Strapped for Cash
The Election Assistance Commission has struggled with insufficient staff and resources.
Management
Senate Confirms Scalia to Be Labor Secretary
The Senate voted along party lines in support of the former Labor Department solicitor under President George W. Bush.
Oversight
Democrats Blast GSA for Lax Oversight of Trump Hotel
The agency should be asking more questions about the lease and its financial terms, lawmakers say.
Oversight
House Democrats Announce Formal Impeachment Probe — Sort Of
It’s far from clear whether House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s go-slow strategy has changed.
Management