Management
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
Management
Labor Authority General Counsel Nominee Vows Impartiality, But Unions Cry Foul
Federal employee unions oppose the nomination of Catherine Bird to vet complaints before the FLRA, citing her work in collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of management.
Defense
Sen. Warren Spars with Defense Secretary Nominee Over His Lobbyist Work
The Democratic presidential candidate said that Mark Esper, who has declined to recuse himself from Raytheon-related decisions, should not lead the Pentagon.
Management
House Passes Defense Policy Bill with Provision to Block OPM-GSA Merger
The must-pass legislation also includes amendments granting paid family leave and protecting feds’ health insurance during shutdowns.
Management
House to Consider Blocking OPM Merger, Other Workforce Proposals Through Defense Policy Bill
Proposed amendments to the annual must-pass Defense authorization bill include measures to safeguard federal workers’ insurance during shutdowns, ban the box in federal hiring and protect whistleblowers.
Oversight
Lawmakers Look Into the Costs of Trump's July 4 'Display of Pageantry'
House appropriators plan hearing as Park Service, Pentagon gather numbers.
Oversight
GOP Senators Pan Proposal to Avoid a Shutdown Through a 1-Year Stopgap Spending Bill
A continuing resolution would hurt military readiness, the lawmakers say.
Pay & Benefits
House Democrats Aim to Add Paid Family Leave for Feds to Defense Policy Bill
A proposed amendment to the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act would provide all federal workers with 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Management
House Appropriations Bill Would Block Impasses Panel from Imposing New Union Contracts
Federal labor groups have frequently accused agencies of engaging in bad faith “box-checking” collective bargaining negotiations, in an effort to fast track proposals to an all-Republican board.
Management
OPM Still Lacks Legal Analysis of Proposed Merger with GSA
Lawmakers in both parties expressed outrage at the lack of documents provided to support the Trump administration’s proposal.
Management
House Approves 3.1% Pay Raise and Blocks OPM Furloughs, Merger
Lawmakers dealt the Trump administration’s proposal to merge OPM and GSA another setback.
Pay & Benefits
House Approves Shutdown Back Pay for Contractors, Trump Signs Law Expanding Vet Disability Benefits
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Oversight
Treasury Auditors Are Reviewing Department's Decision to Delay Putting Tubman on $20 Bill
Senate Minority Leader Schumer sought IG probe of Secretary Mnuchin’s rationale.
Oversight
HASC Chair on Mini-Nukes: ‘We’re Not Trying to Manage a Nuclear War’
hairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., speaks as Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. Tuesday, April 2, 2019.
Management
OPM Leader Threatens Furloughs, RIFs if Congress Doesn’t Approve GSA Merger
The administration has given lawmakers until the end of June to greenlight the merger, or else roughly 150 OPM employees could lose their jobs this fall.
Management
Senate Panel Advances Merit Board, FEMA Administrator Nominees
The federal employee appeals board may soon have a quorum for the first time in 2.5 years.
Pay & Benefits
Contractor Back Pay Bill Advances, Administration Seeks Dismissal of Shutdown Compensation Lawsuit and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
OPM Proposes Legislation to Clarify Probationary Periods, Expand Hiring Eligibility
The federal government’s HR agency also hopes to remove a cap on interns at federal agencies.
Pay & Benefits
House Panel Advances Bills to Protect Feds’ Insurance During Shutdowns
Legislation would ensure that workers can adjust health benefits following significant life events and prevent their dental, vision and long-term care coverage from lapsing.
Management