Oversight

Bill aims to end blocked congressional access at federal buildings

A new bill would set governmentwide rules for congressional visits after disputes over access to agencies and immigration detention centers.

Updated Management

Trump appointees confirmed by the Senate are exiting their jobs in record numbers, report finds

The Partnership for Public Service also reported that the president is making a historically low number of nominations.

Oversight

Despite firings, acting IG says it’s 'the best time to be in the inspector general community' due to focus on fraud

A panel of inspectors general at a government accounting conference also discussed challenges combating technologically advanced scams and performing more proactive oversight.

Oversight

Inspector general group would be axed under new House GOP bill

Supporters of the measure pointed to a recent Government Accountability Office report that found the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency frequently missed requirements when investigating misconduct allegations against IGs.

Workforce

A year after State layoffs, ex-feds say U.S. is paying the price in Iran and Ebola crises

Democratic lawmakers at a Thursday press conference also touted a new bill that would exempt foreign service officers who were pushed out by the Trump administration from being required to take the Foreign Service Officer Test if they wish to rejoin.

Management

FEMA overhaul proposal spotlighted by bipartisan lawmakers

Supporters testified that the FEMA Act would help disaster survivors and local governments more easily access assistance.

Updated Oversight

Former civil servants and union request IG investigation into transfer of Education program to Labor

House Republicans recently introduced a package of bills that would codify the Trump administration’s interagency agreements that move Education offices to other agencies.

Oversight

Duffy faces new ethics complaint over official social media post promoting wife’s book

The Transportation Department said that the post at issue was "inadvertently retweeted” by a staffer.

Updated Workforce

Some disabled veterans say losing telework accommodations is making it harder for them to keep working at the VA

Employees with disabilities at several agencies have alleged that they’re being forced to return to the office, even though the Trump administration’s directive ending telework flexibility for the civil service exempted those with qualifying reasonable accommodations.

Updated Management

Unions sue to block USDA reorganization, arguing it’s a RIF in disguise

A court filing says that impacted employees must report to their new assigned locations across the country by this fall.

Workforce

Union accuses Treasury and HHS of neglecting telework requests from employees with disabilities

The lawsuit highlights federal employees who have been waiting for more than a year to hear back about their reasonable accommodation requests as well as individuals whose need to telework ended before the agency responded.

Workforce

Despite criticism of Trump’s SES reforms, senior executives group backs recent updates to training program

Officials from the Office of Personnel Management said that the changes to the training and development program are necessary to promote standardization across agencies.

Management

President can fire independent agency heads without cause, Supreme Court rules

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent that the decision “reshapes our government.”

Oversight

Despite taxing year, IRS watchdog reports mostly smooth filing season

The Taxpayer Advocate Service did, however, find that staff cuts made it more difficult for taxpayers who needed assistance to access it.

Management

Award-winning civil servants counter negative stereotypes of government employees

The National Academy of Public Administration celebrated public servants as part of the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

Management

Agencies look to AI to improve hiring and build workforce skills

The chief human capital officers also emphasized the importance of improving the skillset of the mid-career workforce.

Oversight

Education Department layoffs hindered congressionally mandated activities, inspector general reports

The inspector general office at the Education Department has experienced several leadership shake-ups, including one acting leader who seems to have been replaced over the report.

Workforce

NSF is using its HQ move to revoke telework for workers with disabilities, employees say

Most of the science agency’s workforce is currently teleworking, as they are being relocated to a new office building that is close to the former headquarters.

Oversight

FEMA, OMB noms grilled on alleged political sway in government assistance

Democratic senators pointed to disparities between what states are approved to receive disaster funding as well as a proposal to require that political appointees approve grant awards to ensure they advance the president’s priorities.