Oversight
Watchdog recommends nearly 100 ways for agencies to save tens of billions
Agencies have implemented a majority of previous Government Accountability Office recommendations regarding duplicative federal programs, generating almost $775 billion in financial benefits.
Management
Experts say Trump inflated his deregulation numbers, but his process changes are here to stay
The president has made several changes to the rulemaking process, including added White House scrutiny of certain regulations and exceptions to some time-consuming steps.
Management
OMB seeks details from agencies on their commercial buying, or lack thereof
A new White House budget office memo also outlines what agencies have to do if they want to go down the non-commercial contracting route and who has the approval power over it.
Updated
Management
Vought defends fiscal 2027 budget request, as Democrats criticize OMB for violating spending law
The Trump administration proposed a 10% reduction to spending on non-defense agencies.
Management
Vought takes aim at GAO in new guidance
This is not the first time the head of the Office of Management and Budget has pushed back against Congress’ watchdog.
Oversight
Many federal programs are missing from an OMB inventory, watchdog reports
A recent Government Accountability Office report found that a federal program inventory is incomplete, not in compliance with statutory requirements and includes inaccurate information.
Workforce
Continuing to shed federal workers remains ‘priority number one,’ White House official says
OMB deputy suggests that making it easier to fire feds will ‘liberate’ them to do their jobs better.
Management
Contract reviews continue at OMB, official says
Deputy Director for Management Eric Ueland emphasized the need for CIOs to be empowered “at the beginning of conversations” for IT contracts.
Management
OMB is hiring for a deputy federal chief information officer
“If you know how to run large systems, cut through noise, and turn strategy into execution across government scale, this is that job,” Federal CIO Gregory Barbaccia said about the search for his deputy.
Management
Court orders OMB to publish more info about how federal funding is distributed
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington had asserted that officials violated an earlier mandate regarding the disclosure of spending data.
Management
OMB, OPM pitch new governmentwide HR system
A joint memo from OMB Director Russ Vought and OPM Director Scott Kupor Wednesday laid out plans to encompass all federal HR management data into a single technology platform by fiscal 2028.
Management
New nonprofit aimed at strengthening government effectiveness is launched by former Democratic White House staffers
While the Trump administration has pursued cuts to agency workforces and programs in a quest to improve efficiency, the CEO of Governmental Renewal said that the new nonpartisan organization is not “a response to specific actions underway today.”
Management
Push to 'reform the government root and branch' detailed in Trump’s new management agenda
The President's Management Agenda for Trump's second term offers fewer specific policy plans than other recent agendas.
Oversight
Trump administration resumes funding for inspectors general hub after previously blocking it
OMB’s move to restore CIGIE funding until Jan. 30 comes as the president has already fired or replaced more than 20 agency inspectors general.
Management
How the president expanded his power without a government
COMMENTARY | When the Trump administration decides it can spend money from any budget account on anything it wants and not spend appropriated funding, there are no limits to the president's budgetary powers.
Pay & Benefits
Dems, Murkowski demand White House guarantee backpay for furloughed feds
The White House continues to insist that the 2019 Government Employees Fair Treatment Act does not guarantee backpay to furloughed federal workers after every shutdown.
Updated
Workforce
Trump’s promised shutdown layoffs lead to at least 4,200 cuts at seven agencies
More RIFs possible as the Trump administration is following through on its threat to leverage the shutdown to implement federal workforce reductions.
Pay & Benefits
Trump administration’s claims against automatic furloughed worker backpay lack legal, historical basis
Experts say the White House’s new theory that the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act does not guarantee feds backpay following a shutdown fails a basic tenet of legal analysis.
Updated
Pay & Benefits
OMB deletes reference to law guaranteeing backpay to furloughed feds from shutdown guidance
An Office of Management and Budget FAQ document now states that only excepted employees forced to work without pay are guaranteed backpay at the conclusion of a lapse in appropriations.
Management