Author Archive
Eric Katz
Senior Correspondent
Eric Katz writes about federal agency operations and management. His deep coverage of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Postal Service has earned him frequent guest spots on national radio and television news programs. Eric joined Government Executive in the summer of 2012 and previously worked for The Financial Times. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.
Eric Katz writes about federal agency operations and management. His deep coverage of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Postal Service has earned him frequent guest spots on national radio and television news programs. Eric joined Government Executive in the summer of 2012 and previously worked for The Financial Times. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.
Management
Trump’s Dismissiveness of COVID Led to a ‘Lack of Action’ Across Federal Agencies, His Former Pandemic Response Leader Says
Deborah Birx details how she attempted to sidestep promotion of debunked science and potential political interference with scientific work.
- Eric Katz
Management
Taxpayers Are Still Facing ‘Unprecedented Delays’ Even as IRS Claims Progress on Last Year’s Backlog
The agency's overall backlog is growing and its processing time is slowing.
- Eric Katz
Management
Defying Biden, Congress Moves to Give the New Health Research Agency More Independence
Lawmakers want to shake up the agency just months after it was created.
- Eric Katz
Management
Hiring, Body Cams, EVs for Feds and Other Takeaways From House Democrats’ 2023 Spending Priorities
Democrats differed from the president in some key respects in their initial fiscal 2023 funding bills.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Lawmakers Look to Strip a Maligned Whistleblower Protection Office of Key Powers
Leaders insist the office is turning a corner, but lawmakers and advocates say its structure is fundamentally flawed and in need of reform.
- Eric Katz
Oversight
Agency Doesn’t Have to Reconsider Benefits Decisions After Misinterpreting the Law, Supreme Court Rules
Opponents call it "inexcusable" to deny a veteran a new hearing after VA admitted it made a mistake.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
FEMA Chief Says Her Top Priority Is to Ensure the Agency has Adequate Staffing for Upcoming Emergencies
Employees and managers alike continue to warn lawmakers about the impact that growing demands will have on the agency's ability to respond to disasters.
- Eric Katz
Management
Biden Announces 'Unprecedented' Federal Deployments to Crack Down on Human Smuggling
The president also vows to dramatically increase refugee resettlements from the Americas despite his administration's failures to date.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Congress Closes in on a Nearly $7B Investment in the VA Workforce and New Facilities
Pay raises, student loan repayment and new recruiting tools are part of the sweeping package as lawmakers prepare VA for a surge of new patients.
- Eric Katz
Oversight
Regulator Warns That More Elements of DeJoy's Plan for USPS Are Disruptive and Unrealistic
In this case, the Postal Service is seeking to deliver some packages more quickly.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Supreme Court Makes Federal Officials 'Absolutely Immunized' From Personal Lawsuits
New ruling restricts when individuals can sue federal personnel for misconduct.
- Eric Katz
Oversight
A New Law Will Make It Harder to Escape Investigation By Leaving Federal Service
The measure will allow the Veterans Affairs Department IG to subpoena former feds and contractors.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
The Biden Administration Implements More Distinctions in Fed Workforce COVID Policies Based on Vaccination Status
Unvaccinated feds will face more limitations in travel, but may receive more paid administrative leave.
- Eric Katz
Management
The Biden Administration Begins Shifting Asylum Determinations to Federal Officers
The policy is aimed at speeding up the process and taking some work away from the severely backlogged immigration courts.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Feds' Vaccine Mandate Enforcement Could Be Days Away, but Agencies Are Not Yet Prepping
The clock is ticking on a federal court to either hear another appeal on Biden's mandate or allow the administration to resume suspensions and firings.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Biden’s Board Appointees Promise to Finally Provide Feds ‘Extra Insurance’ Against Mistreatment
After five years, a restored Merit Systems Protection Board is setting new precedents with sweeping impacts for the civil service.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Why Federal Agents Were the First on the Scene to Kill the School Shooter in Texas
Current and former officials explain why it is common for DHS personnel to respond in some local emergencies.
- Eric Katz
Management
VA Launches Competition to Boost Gun Safety, Other Suicide Prevention Ideas
Winners of the "marketplace for innovation" will receive $3 million.
- Eric Katz
Management
Biden Orders All Federal Law Enforcement to Wear Body Cameras
Sweeping changes for federal agents and officers win support from their advocates.
- Eric Katz
Workforce
Federal Officers Must De-Escalate Before Using Force and Intervene When Colleagues Abuse Power, DOJ Says
The changes were part of the Justice Department's first use-of-force policy update in 18 years.
- Eric Katz