Management
Shutdown fight in the Senate likely to drag through the weekend
Senators are staying in Washington through the weekend as talks continue on a short-term spending deal to end the government shutdown, with both parties trading proposals on health care subsidies and federal worker pay.
Workforce
There is bipartisan interest in federal worker layoff protections in any deal to reopen government
Republicans have floated reversing RIFs and Democrats are noting promising progress in negotiations.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s new blog touts modernization while retirees wait for answers during the shutdown
In his “Secrets of OPM” posts, Director Scott Kupor outlines efforts to digitize retirement processing and improve efficiency, but offers little guidance for those caught in the shutdown backlog.
Tech
DHS says shutdown layoffs at CISA will proceed despite court injunction
The cybersecurity agency says it has complied with the court’s order because the firing of 54 people in its Stakeholder Engagement Division was planned beforehand and doesn’t affect unionized employees.
Updated
Workforce
‘We’ll still continue to serve’: Many federal employees turn to volunteering during shutdown
Many government workers say they have also had to rely on nonprofits for assistance during the funding lapse.
Management
FAA plans to cut 10% of flights in major markets due to shutdown-related staffing issues
Air traffic controllers are increasingly not showing up to work while their paychecks are withheld.
Management
Fresh from election wins, Dems demand Trump meeting over shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, calling for a bipartisan meeting to end the government shutdown.
Management
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
Funding lapse set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
Workforce
Shutdown compounds a year of pain for federal contractors, employees
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., says the closure amplifies the billions in contract cancellations and workforce cuts.
Management
At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten morale and operational strength
"That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.
Management
Airports seeing spike in shutdown impacts as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers call out
Some airports are seeing three-hours lines while dozens have experienced shutdown-related delays.
Management
Two judges block Trump administration from cutting SNAP benefits
A pair of rulings have temporarily paused White House plans to halt funding to the food assistance program during the government shutdown.
Pay & Benefits
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
Management
Contractors fear retaliation if they try to recover shutdown costs
Legal rights do exist for companies to recoup their losses, but attorneys say fears of Trump administration reprisal loom over industry.
Exclusive
Management
USDA transfers $13B into ‘slush fund’ for future tariff relief
The move has left the department incapable of delivering some mandatory farmer aid programs, and is raising concerns in Congress.
Workforce
Shutdown double whammy: SNAP food benefits ending and federal workers go unpaid
The ongoing government shutdown, combined with the end of SNAP funding, has put pressure on local are food banks as federal employees go without paychecks.
Workforce
Shutdown furloughs will permanently cost the economy at least $7 billion, CBO says
Unlike most of the shutdown's economic impacts, the lost productivity from feds not working cannot be reversed.
Workforce
Federal employee groups want to reopen government. They disagree on how
While the nation’s largest federal employee union called for Congress to enact House Republicans’ short-term funding deal, another association for federal workers and retirees warned it isn’t as “clean” as proponents say.
Breaking News
Workforce
Shutdown layoffs indefinitely blocked following new court injunction
Trump administration attorney says guarantee of back pay justifies issuing widespread reductions in force, but judge finds the layoffs unlawful.
Workforce