Workforce
Trump Administration Threatens to Make Employees Work Without Pay Over Border Funding Shortfall
Congress may act in time to provide emergency funding, but some damage may already be done.
Management
Taxpayer Advocate Details Shutdown's Impact in Her Final Report
Retiring Nina Olson cites harm to customer service as well as staff training.
Tech
IRS Advisory Panel Pushes Anti-Fraud Tools, Praises Staff Handling of Shutdown
Specialists recommend boosting private-sector partnership to thwart identity theft.
Management
White House Has 'Every Intention' of Avoiding Shutdown Despite Budget Impasse
Administration floats one-year stopgap spending measure to keep agencies funded at fiscal 2019 levels.
Pay & Benefits
Contractor Back Pay Bill Advances, Administration Seeks Dismissal of Shutdown Compensation Lawsuit and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
House Pushes Forward on Spending Packages That Would Boost Hiring, Block Trump-Backed Reforms
Lawmakers are still negotiating with the White House on overall spending caps.
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
House Budget Chair Suspects White House Will Flirt with Shutdown
John Yarmouth, D-Ky., says the administration wants to delay a deal to maximize leverage with Congress.
Management
Contractors Advise Lawmakers on How to Reduce Pain During the Next Shutdown
House Democrats’ field hearing spotlights suffering from the most recent lapse in appropriations as message to colleagues.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Administration Seeks to Dismiss Shutdown Lawsuit
Justice Department attorneys argued in a recent court filing that a complaint over the legality of forcing employees to work without pay is moot.
Oversight
Watchdog Details Shutdown’s Damage to IRS Work During Tax Season
The 35-day lapse in appropriations exploded the correspondence backlog and left 3.8 million calls unanswered.
Oversight
House Democrats Attack Interior’s 'Ill-Advised' Reorg Plan
Geological survey chief defends efficiencies that "make it easier to do business."
Oversight
Report: Shutdown Delayed 737 Max Software Fix
The update was to be finished in January, but was delayed "five weeks" because of the 35-day lapse in appropriations.
Oversight
Taxpayer Advocate: IRS Will Need 12-18 Months to Recover From Shutdown
Retiring Olson makes valedictory plea for more funding.
Oversight
Senator Questions Executive Travel During Shutdown
Democrat wants documents from multiple agencies, citing "culture of wasteful spending."
Management
Trump's Declaration of Emergency Authority to Redirect Spending Will Bring Complex Challenges
His $8 billion shuffle to build a border wall is unprecedented, maybe illegal in some parts.
Management
Contractor Back Pay Bills Swirl Around Talks to Avoid New Shutdown
Trump is said to be resisting plans to reimburse mostly low-income employees for the 35-day shutdown.
Management
Shutdown Caused 'Real Harm' to IRS and Taxpayers, Advocate Argues
Details given on how tax agency struggled to launch filing season with furloughed staff.
Management
Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown
Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.
Management