Oversight

Top Democrat Asks Secret Service How Much It Has Spent Protecting the Trump Family on Trips

Request comes in preparation for the fiscal 2021 budget process. 

Management

Would Converting Some DHS Political Positions to Career Ones Help Employee Morale?

Good government group recommends this as one way to address long-term challenges with dissatisfaction among employees.

Oversight

IG Council Launches Online Tracker to Draw Attention to Vacancies

New tool is part of a series of reforms to Oversight.gov. 

Oversight

EPA Could Save Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars Through Stronger Oversight of Mobile Phones

The agency “missed an opportunity” to better use $12,000 spent over two years on unnecessary voice and data services, watchdog finds.

Oversight

Good Government Groups Push for Nonpartisan Panel to Find FEC Commissioners 

They wrote to the White House and Senate leadership on Monday urging the speedy restoration of a quorum and then a panel to help fill the remaining seats.

Management

More Firms Will Now Be Eligible for Government Small Business Contracts 

A final rule took effect on Monday to implement a 2018 law.

Management

Navy Launches a New Civilian Human Capital Strategy for First Time in a Decade 

The goal is to improve hiring, retention and employees’ experiences at work.  

Management

Senate Confirms Trump’s Pick for Regulations Czar

Paul Ray served as the acting head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs before receiving the nomination.

Management

Industry Association Calls on Government to Better Protect U.S. Contractors Working Overseas 

Letter to Defense and State departments follows recent U.S. contractor deaths in Kenya and Iraq.

Oversight

House Lawmakers Issue ‘Ultimatum’ to GSA Over Trump Hotel Records Subpoena 

GSA disputes the lawmakers’ allegations of noncompliance.

Management

Trump Objects to Certain Transparency Requirements of 2020 Spending and Policy Bills

The provisions he opposes are for both public and classified matters.

Oversight

OSHA Cites Bureau of Prisons Facility for Unsafe Working Conditions

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found “serious” problems at a Florida prison, prompting the first ever citation for BOP.

Management

Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Deregulation Plan

Plaintiffs challenged an executive order requiring agencies to eliminate two regulations for every new one they introduce.

Management

New Funding for Election Security Assistance Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Experts Say

Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Congress appropriated $425 million for states to help secure election infrastructure.

Oversight

Federal Agencies Need to Improve Oversight of Security Aid to Lebanon

Hizbollah's influence “heightens the importance of ensuring strong management controls.”

Oversight

Watchdog: High Risk of Improper Payments with State Dept. Purchase Cards

In 2018, more than 2,250 department card holders made purchases totaling $109.5 million.

Oversight

State Dept. Employee and Spouse Indicted on Charges of Trafficking Counterfeit Handbags

The couple allegedly sold counterfeit handbags online for over two years using a government computer.

Oversight

Lawmakers Blast DHS for Missing Deadline for Bipartisan Subpoena of Immigration Documents 

The House Homeland Security Committee requested information on the administration's policies related to handling of children and families for the second time.

Oversight

Watchdog: OPM is At Risk of Not Being Able to Restore IT Systems Post-Disaster 

The massive 2015 data breaches that exposed personal information of current and former federal employees are the subject of an ongoing lawsuit. 

Workforce

NASA Ranks as the Best Place to Work in Government for Eighth Year

Partnership for Public Service notes a “modest drop in employee engagement” overall across government.