Author Archive
Updated
Workforce
VA employees ordered to pay back bonuses over misconduct now have an appeal process
The rulemaking is the result of a 2017 law intended to make it easier to remove poor-performing VA employees, but the Biden administration previously decided not to use it after legal decisions blunted the law’s authorities.
Workforce
Trump’s proposed cuts to the federal workforce could increase dependency on contractors, experts say
Conversely, Trump’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency plans to push for decreasing spending on federal contracts.
Transition
Reported Trump ‘loyalty tests’ for national security officials spur criticism
If career employees are removed from the National Security Council, they would return to their home agencies, but the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has expressed concern.
Transition
OPM clears Trump’s beachhead teams for landing
Existing authorities allow the president-elect to make certain temporary appointments during the transition to a new administration.
Oversight
Advanced health research agency needs a strategic workforce plan, watchdog says
The GAO report also found ARPA-H, as of July 1, 2024, has not hired any scientists who are Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races.
Oversight
Energy Dept. watchdog reports that travel expense violations in secretary’s criticized EV road trip caused by lack of oversight and knowledge
House Republicans blasted the trip as “ripe with waste, fraud and abuse,” but the report found that some of the violations cost the federal government less than $100.
Oversight
Coast Guard is resisting oversight of mishandled sexual misconduct cases, lawmakers say
Congressional inquires were spurred by revelations that the Coast Guard did not disclose an investigation into possible sexual assaults at its service academy.
Featured eBooks
Management
Award-winning VA leaders show the impact that federal employees can have serving the public
The presidential rank awards recognize outstanding senior government executives.
Management
Officials say federal employee background check system overhaul is finally on the right track
The director of the agency primarily responsible for background checks of federal employees said the change in administration likely won’t affect modernization efforts.
Updated
News
Johnson retains speakership, pledges to roll back 'totalitarian' administrative state
Some Republicans were concerned that a contested speaker election could delay implementation of Trump’s agenda.
News
FBI confirms New Orleans attack was a terrorist incident
Counterterrorism officials said the assailant was “100% inspired by ISIS.” They have not linked the attack to a recent explosion in Las Vegas.
Workforce
ODNI adds new colleges and universities to its school recruitment program
Recent intelligence community recruitment efforts have focused on STEM.
Oversight
Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices
While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.
Oversight
CBP chief medical official moved months after whistleblower complaints
Whistleblowers accused Dr. Alexander Eastman of creating a hostile work environment, among other allegations.
Featured eBooks
Management
Trump wants 10 regulations eliminated for each new one issued. Will it actually work?
Experts argue that a similar policy during Trump’s first term didn’t lead to substantial deregulation but did slow rulemaking.
Oversight
Fed employee advocate Connolly to lead Democrats on House Oversight Committee
The Virginia Democrat could be a leading opponent to Trump’s plans for overhauling the civil service.
Management
Will civil service protections hold up against RFK Jr.’s threats to the federal public health workforce?
Kennedy, Trump’s pick to lead HHS, has talked openly about removing swaths of civil servants at FDA and NIH.
Oversight
Legislation to promote better federal building security set to be signed into law
Multiple watchdogs have recently criticized the effectiveness of security at government facilities.
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.
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.
