Management

Want to modernize the federal workforce? Here's how

A new nonprofit study examines how the federal government could update the civil service to both capture new talent and capitalize on its available talent. 

Pay & Benefits

Is the 5.2% pay raise enough for feds? Union says no

While the president authorized the largest pay raise for federal employees in more than 40 years last month, the National Federation of Federal Employees said inflation and the outpacing private sector pay means workers need more. 

Management

Senate bill would offer veterans with lost medical records a way to access disability benefits

Legislation from the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman would provide veterans with other documentation methods for receiving benefits when their medical records are misplaced between the VA and Defense Department. 

Management

OPM and the Pentagon are among agencies adopting solar under a $104M clean energy plan

The Biden administration detailed new grant awards from an Energy Department program tasked with helping implement energy conservation technology at federal agencies. 

Management

Senate committee wants details on VA’s harassment investigation

On the heels of a House panel voting to subpoena the Veterans Affairs Department as part of its own investigation, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee wants more information about how officials are examining sexual harassment allegations. 

Management

Intelligence agencies need to make SCIFs more accessible for employees with disabilities, GAO says

The watchdog examined the facilities agencies use for processing classified information, finding that some barriers that prohibit access remain.

Pay & Benefits

A new rule allows the VA to adjust disability compensation to prevent overpayments

The rule, set to go into effect on Jan. 11, would allow the department to suspend or pause disability compensation for Defense Department servicemembers also receiving active service pay. 

Management

How successful are President’s Management Agendas? 

The White House touted the recent gains it made in workforce and customer experience goals in the latest update to the governmentwide management plan, but the tangible effects of PMAs often tend to be more gradual. 

Workforce

5 places where the White House prioritized 2023 hiring 

To meet the increasing demand for government services and operational needs, the Biden administration targeted hiring surges at several agencies in 2023.

Oversight

Senate committee wants VA to ensure providers work to prevent opioid abuse

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and other Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling for action after audits found oversight lapses in opioid prescriptions from non-agency providers. 

Oversight

House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.  

Management

GSA, FBI still at odds over headquarters selection, while House subcommittee smells ‘a rat’

Officials from the two agencies continued airing their dissenting positions over the Greenbelt site selection of the new FBI headquarters Tuesday, while subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., found the site’s connection to WMATA incredulous. 

Pay & Benefits

5 highlights of the 2024 Open Season

Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program may be over, but it was still filled with new additions and best practices for federal employees and beneficiaries to keep an eye on. Here are some of the highlights.

Management

New bill seeks to codify Trump-era regulation cut rule

Rep. Mike Gallagher’s (R-Wisc.) legislation aims to make permanent the Trump executive order that sought to repeal two regulations for each one introduced.

Management

House Oversight members take aim at former GSA official in request for FBI headquarters investigation

Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., called on the General Services Administration’s acting inspector general to investigate potential political influence in the agency’s decision to select Greenbelt, Md., for the FBI’s main office.

Management

USPS paid for unused air mail transport due to incorrect forecasts, OIG says

The Postal Service didn’t accurately plan the weight capacity of its operations with one air transport supplier, according to a new report, often paying shipping costs for unused capacity on flights. 

Management

Officials hopeful new executive order will help lagging security implementation at federal facilities

Leaders from the Federal Protective Service and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency applaud a recent White House directive around federal facility security, but also support additional measures to help implement recommendations.

Management

White House updates interagency group tasked with protecting federal facilities

The Biden administration issued an executive order Monday updating the committee tasked with establishing security policies for installations across the federal government, now including best practices for a mobile workforce.

Management

Stefanik calls for fraud officer to protect veterans from scam in new bill

The New York congresswoman partnered with House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., to sponsor new legislation that would create an officer to help warn veterans about potential scam and identity theft schemes. 

Management

Porter reintroduces a bill that would form a natural disaster safety board

The California congresswoman redrafted a bill with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to establish an agency to help investigate and mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the U.S.