Management

Acting Social Security chief highlights recent successes ahead of exit

Despite a series of challenges throughout her tenure, Acting Social Security Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi sought to tout advances made under her watch ahead of the installation of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley following his confirmation Monday.

Management

Martin O’Malley confirmed as Social Security commissioner

The Senate voted 50-11 Monday to confirm the former Maryland governor, officially ending a multi-year period where the agency struggled under acting leadership.

Workforce

State Dept. employees praise Biden administration for encouraging dissent

The administration has faced some criticism for censoring employee speech related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, but staff say internal channels are open for disagreement.

Management

O’Malley’s bid to lead Social Security moves forward

The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance O’Malley’s nomination to lead the Social Security Administration to the Senate floor for final consideration.

Management

O’Malley vows to listen to frontline Social Security workers

President Biden’s pick to lead the embattled Social Security Administration said many of the agency’s challenges can be alleviated by a change in culture.

Management

The 3 duties of public servants

COMMENTARY | With all that’s going on in Washington these days, public officials have three fundamental duties that they cannot shirk.

Management

Social Security Advisory Board urges quick action on SSA nominee, end to 6-year terms

Since the Social Security Administration was made independent from the Health and Human Services Department in the 1990s, only two of the agency’s commissioners have served the full six-year term.

Management

Coalition of unions endorses O’Malley to lead Social Security

The Federal Workers Alliance urged senators to move quickly to confirm President Biden’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration, noting that the embattled agency has been without a permanent commissioner for eight of the last 10 years.

Workforce

Nation’s largest federal employee union endorses O'Malley to lead Social Security

News of the American Federation of Government Employees’ support for former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Biden’s pick to lead the embattled agency, comes amid a détente between the union and management, whose relationship has been acrimonious in recent years.

Management

Biden taps former Maryland governor for Social Security commissioner

Martin O’Malley served two terms as governor before a failed presidential campaign in 2016.

Oversight

The Biden administration is without a confirmed ethics czar

This is the first time in five years that the federal government's ethics agency has been without a confirmed director. Trump holdover Emory Rounds stepped down when his term expired earlier this month.

Management

Democrats try again to reform the vacancies act

Democrats are trying once again to reform the parameters on acting federal officials.

Management

Biden looks to swap leadership at civil service watchdog agencies

White House nominates a Trump appointee for a new role overseeing enforcement of civil service laws.

Management

It’s Been 6-Plus Years Without a Permanent Head of Governmentwide Financial Management

The last presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed controller at the Office of Management and Budget left in January 2017.

Oversight

Trump’s Global Media CEO Abused Authority and Wasted Funds, Review Finds

New agency leadership has been working to restore the agency’s operations and make corrective reforms.

Workforce

OPM Denied 20% of Agency Requests to Let Politicals Convert Into Career Roles

In another 23% of cases, agencies failed to seek permission before letting political appointees "burrow in."

Management

The HHS Secretary Violated the Hatch Act, Office of Special Counsel Determines

“With a presidential election approaching next year, this report offers an opportunity to deter violations by reminding federal employees at all levels of the Hatch Act restrictions,” OSC says.

Management

Appeals Panel for Feds No Longer Whole As Former Board Member Runs for Office

The Merit Systems Protection Board, now once again dealing with a vacancy as former member runs for state House in West Virginia, vows to continue working on its backlog.