Author Archive
Sean Michael Newhouse
Staff Reporter
Before joining Government Executive in 2024, Sean Michael Newhouse covered House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. There, he covered a wide range of issues but took a particular interest in technology policy. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Before joining Government Executive in 2024, Sean Michael Newhouse covered House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. There, he covered a wide range of issues but took a particular interest in technology policy. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Management
Could Biden’s recent strategy to streamline government hiring be scuttled under Trump?
One of the purposes of the administration’s federal hiring improvement plan is to make agencies aware of hiring tools they already have access to.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
House committee piles on criticism of DeJoy’s postal overhaul plans
USPS’ inspector general said there hasn’t yet been improvements to service timeliness and reliability.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Federal workforce is generally more diverse than the U.S. population, but gaps persist
EEO complaints filed by federal employees continued to decline from their fiscal 2018 height, sliding to 12,200 in fiscal 2021.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Bureau of Prisons to close 7 facilities, threatening about 400 federal jobs
AFGE says employees who remain with BOP will face “disruptive relocations.”
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
OSC questions agencies’ findings from a pair of whistleblower investigations
A CBP whistleblower alleged officials stopped an air unit from performing potentially life-saving missions, while an individual from the FAA accused officials at Detroit’s airport of inadequately safeguarding landings.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
New data shows why it's taking the Senate longer to confirm presidential appointees
President-elect Trump is already pressuring senators to let him bypass, under certain conditions, the Senate’s oftentimes lengthy confirmation process for appointees.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Despite critical report, Biden hasn’t taken disciplinary action against DHS watchdog
It’s been about two months since an oversight committee substantiated allegations that DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari abused his authority, with no word of potential White House action.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
GAO saved the federal government $67.5 billion in fiscal 2024
The watchdog’s open recommendations could be a foundation for the new Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Updated
Management
Extraordinary senior executives receive presidential rank award
The selective honor comes with a cash award that is up to 35% of the recipient’s annual basic pay.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Trump’s Education nominee would bring past government experience to the role
While she’s known for being the president and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon is not a newcomer to the federal government.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Marjorie Taylor Greene to head new government efficiency subcommittee
The panel will work closely with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
GOP pollster says survey data shows Americans would not support Trump’s efforts to reinstitute Schedule F
The federal government has an image problem. Frank Luntz has thoughts on how to improve it.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Immigration enforcement agents see Trump’s border czar as one of their own
Tom Homan spent more than 30 years as a federal law enforcement officer, ultimately becoming the leader of ICE.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return
Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Senator wants info on inspectors general office sexual harassment settlements
Grassley wrote that whistleblowers informed his office that the financial agreements required complainants to sign non-disclosure agreements.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Agencies expect small fiscal 2025 funding increases — at best
The Professional Services Council’s federal budget forecast predicts that fiscal 2025 appropriations will edge up slightly at best or face potential stinging GOP-led cuts.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Pay & Benefits
Feds in 2024 made almost a quarter less than their private sector peers
The Federal Salary Council, which reported the disparity, also recommended creating new locality pay areas in Kennewick-Richland-Walla Walla, Wash., and Syracuse-Auburn, N.Y.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
New Senate majority leader ‘excited’ to ‘dismantle federal bureaucracy’
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also said that he is open to allowing recess appointments, which could let Trump bypass the Senate for certain nominees.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is lacking, OIG says
In one notable example from a recent report, a guard at a federal facility told a visitor to place their firearm in a bush to access the building.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Updated
Management
Who has Trump picked to serve in his Cabinet?
These individuals will hold huge sway in enacting the president-elect’s policies toward federal employees.
- Sean Michael Newhouse