Oversight
Experts Call for Reform of Vacancies Act Following Trump’s Intelligence Director Nomination
Acting DNIs can “risk our national security with extended unqualified leadership,” said one expert.
Management
Federal Judge Rules Acting Immigration Services Director Was Unlawfully Appointed
Succession order let Ken Cuccinelli "leapfrog" to the role as agency head without having first served in a subordinate position.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Call on Justice Dept. IG to Investigate Political Interference
Meddling by the Trump administration could “permanently damage the integrity and independence” of the department, they wrote.
Management
Former IRS Executive Named Permanent National Taxpayer Advocate
The appointment comes at the height of the busy tax filing season.
Oversight
Bill Would Require Frequent Congressional Testimony from Acting Defense and National Security Officials
Trump administration's acting officials "limit congressional oversight of our national security," the measure's sponsor says.
Workforce
Lawmaker Asks Democratic Presidential Candidates How They Would Rebuild the Federal Workforce
The Trump administration has done “lasting damage to the integrity, morale and retention of our federal workforce,” Virginia congresswoman writes.
Management
Long-Time Federal Prisons Official Named Permanent BOP Director
New bureau head will face high rates of inmate and correctional officer suicides, understaffing and issues with reporting of employee misconduct.
Workforce
Watchdog Finds ‘Uneven Progress’ in State Department’s Effort to Improve Workforce Diversity
Concerns about the demographic composition of the workforce are longstanding, GAO said.
Management
How EPA Could Be More Transparent With the Public
Think tank suggests more support for the newly established C-suite level position of chief data officer.
Oversight
Elections Agency Commissioner: ‘The Biggest Story at the FEC Is What’s Not Happening’
Agency received a funding increase in Trump’s 2021 budget request, but that won’t matter unless commission regains a quorum.
Oversight
Democratic Candidates Defend Their Records on Transparency During Nevada Primary Debate
Presidential contenders who have criticized Trump for his secrecy were forced to explain their own actions.
Oversight
Watchdog: EPA Needs to Improve Management of Environmental Program Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
Documentation of progress was “frequently unreliable” and program information was “neither transparent nor accessible,” said the report.
Management
DHS to Waive Contracting Regulations to Speed Up Border Wall Construction
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.
Oversight
Whistleblower Advocates Praise Pick to Lead New House Ombudsman Office
The office will train congressional staffers on handling disclosures of potential waste, fraud and abuse.
Management
IG: Federal Bureau of Prisons Should Review Enforcement of Policies on Reporting Misconduct
Managers may not be following the rules, watchdog notes.
Workforce
FBI Has Failed to Move the Needle on Diversity Over the Past Decade, Despite Efforts of Recent Directors
Percentages of women and minorities have remained virtually unchanged.
Management
Trump’s Budget Seeks to Increase Funding for the Internal Revenue Service
Staff would grow by a net 1,700 positions from 2020 levels, if $400 million in “cap adjustments” to exceed spending levels in the 2019 budget agreement is included.
Management
White House Budget Gives Election Agency More Funding, But Expert Says It's Not Enough
"A budget should be doubling down on funding [election-related] institutions," the observer argued.
Management
Trump’s Fiscal 2021 Budget Seeks to ‘Resize’ the Bureaucracy
Among other things, the White House wants to rein in “improper end-of-year spending” by agencies.
Management