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
Labor Groups and Lawmakers Vow to Fight 'All-out Assault' on Unions and Federal Employee Rights
Hundreds of federal workers rallied on Capitol Hill to protest the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back employee benefits and protections.
Management
Senate Committee Advances Scalia’s Nomination To Be Labor Secretary
Panel votes along party lines to send the nomination to the full Senate.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Move to Protect Federal Employees' Credit Ratings During Shutdowns
Measures would block shutdown-related credit downgrades and encourage financial institutions to be lenient with federal employees during appropriations lapses.
Oversight
Inspector General Vacancies Continue to Jeopardize Oversight and Investigations
Thirteen of 74 positions lack a permanent IG and some of the openings date back to Obama era, according to a watchdog.
Management
Senate Panel Would Not Block USDA Science Agency Relocations in Spending Bill
Democrats vow to continue to fight to stop the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture from moving to Kansas City later this year.
Oversight
House Is Investigating Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s Possible Conflicts of Interest
The Oversight and Reform Committee is requesting documents related to her family’s company, financial investments and travel.
Management
Justice Department Awards Kavanaugh Team One of Its Highest Honors
Previously, the award has been given to terrorism, human trafficking and other criminal prosecution teams.
Oversight
State Has Been Consistently Late Submitting Foreign Assistance Budget Documents, Watchdog Finds
In 2018, delays were partially due to staff shortages following the hiring freeze.
Management
Controversial OPM Nominee Confirmed Mostly Along Party Lines
Senate approves Dale Cabaniss despite concerns regarding her past governmental experience and plans to merge the agency with the General Services Administration.
Management
House Democrats Urge Leadership to Stand Firm on Union Protections in Spending Bills
More than 200 lawmakers insisted that appropriators protect a House-passed provision blocking agencies from implementing union contracts mandated by the Federal Service Impasses Panel.
Management
Budget Talks Will Break Down if White House Bypasses Congress to Cut Foreign Aid, Pelosi Warns
The Democratic leader stresses that the State Department must be allowed to continue spending money while Congress considers any rescission request, per a GAO legal analysis.
Pay & Benefits
What Needs to Happen for Civilians to Get a 2020 Pay Raise
Trump is likely to announce by the end of August his intent to institute a pay freeze, and Congress would need to override him.
Management
Bipartisan Bill Would Restore Administrative Law Judges to Competitive Service
President Trump last year signed an executive order moving ALJs into the excepted service, claiming it was required to comply with a Supreme Court decision. But stakeholders argued it politicized the job.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Health Insurance Program to Restrict Opioids, Potential Social Security Changes for Some Feds, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
Republican Lawmaker Seeks to Outlaw Official Time for Union Representational Work
Bill would end the longstanding practice by which union officials can do representational work during duty hours, although chances of it becoming law are low.
Management
Senate Panel Advances Key Labor Authority Nominee
One week following Catherine Bird’s confirmation hearing, a key committee voted along party lines in favor of her nomination.
Oversight
Bill Advances That Would Deny Bonuses to Feds Found to Have Engaged in Misconduct
Employees would be barred from bonuses for five years following adverse findings in an investigation.
Defense