Author Archive

Eric Katz

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.
Tech

Job cuts could throw a wrench in the IRS’s plan to modernize

Agency leaders say they want to complete the “vast majority” of its modernization efforts within the next couple of years.

Management

Forest chief says losing 5,000 employees won’t impact fire season response. Many federal firefighters disagree

USFS says it’s ready for fire season after asking separated employees to come back, but employees say the losses have been "crippling."

Exclusive Workforce

VA signs $700K agreement with OPM for assistance with mass layoffs

The department lacks expertise for such a large reduction, it says, and RIF planners confirm VA leadership is not offering clear guidance.

Workforce

NASA renews its push to slash its workforce

The agency would give employees accepting deferred resignations an extended deadline to collect pay while not working.

Workforce

Agencies ready to move quickly on RIFs if court block falls

Across government, behind-the-scenes preparations for layoffs have taken place or are ongoing.

Management

Vought calls for more OMB staff after spearheading governmentwide cuts

Architect of Trump’s government overhaul says he does not want to "traumatize" feds and some agencies have staff "doing incredible work."

Workforce

Trump is planning to slash 107,000 federal jobs next year. See where

New details in the president's budget detail some of the proposed workforce reductions, though the final cuts will likely be steeper.

Oversight

White House says it will cooperate with top watchdog only when it does not ‘unduly burden’ Trump’s agenda

The Trump administration is elevating its feud with the Government Accountability Office, which recently found the administration is violating federal spending laws.

Management

Here's where the State Department is planning its layoffs and changes

Various national security offices, as well as units that cover Asia and the Middle East, will be consolidated or slashed. Thousands of employees across divisions are targeted for cuts.

Management

Trump administration begins cracking down on federal employees' use of leave for voting

Agencies have begun notifying employees they can no longer take administrative leave for election-related activities.

Workforce

Appeals board creates new path to renew reversals of probationary firings

At least some fired feds can pursue their case through a class action, administrative judge says.

Workforce

Most major agencies are now indefinitely barred from issuing mass layoffs

The Trump administration's plans to reorganize agencies are "likely unconstitutional," judge says.

Breaking News Oversight

Supreme Court allows Trump to fire federal employee appeals board members at will

In dissenting opinion, justices say the decision will provide Trump the most subservient executive branch “maybe ever.”

Management

Judge says she is inclined to further pause layoffs at most major agencies

RIF plans have been frozen for two weeks, but federal court suggests they are unconstitutional and implementation will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Breaking News Workforce

Judge bars Education Department from carrying out mass layoffs

Education is unable to carry out its statutory responsibilities and the Trump administration must receive congressional approval before dismantling the department, judge rules.

Management

Staffing cuts will improve government services, agency leaders say

Trump administration officials defend their ongoing workforce reductions to lawmakers amid some bipartisan concerns.

Management

NIH director bemoans RIFs, mocks ‘5 things’ email and says agency shoulders blame for COVID outbreak in first address

New agency head also says some laid off employees may be recalled, including to help address supply shortages at labs and medical centers.

Workforce

The Trump administration is pausing RIFs but probationary firings are resuming

Some agencies have walked back their layoffs, but the court order spurring that action is not preventing re-firings.