Management
Contractors sue to block Trump’s federal DEI executive order
The lawsuit alleges minority-owned businesses are being forced to trade their First Amendment rights for federal contracts.
Management
Transportation touts air traffic control modernization, presses Congress for more funding
After decades of stalled efforts, DOT says its scaled-back modernization is on track, but needs billions more to finish, as lawmakers weigh the price and past failures.
Management
OMB seeks details from agencies on their commercial buying, or lack thereof
A new White House budget office memo also outlines what agencies have to do if they want to go down the non-commercial contracting route and who has the approval power over it.
Pay & Benefits
OPM proposes hazard pay for more federal firefighting activities
Under recently unveiled regulations, federal wildland firefighters would be eligible for a 25% increase in pay when they work on prescribed burns, a proactive tool to mitigate the risk of wildfires.
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Defense
When does federal service really end? DOD case challenges retirees’ speech rights
A Pentagon effort to discipline retired Navy officer and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over public comments is raising broader questions about whether military retirees remain subject to federal authority, and what that could mean for speech rights, retirement benefits and post-service obligations.
Management
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to step down amid misconduct allegations
The Labor Department’s inspector general is investigating claims involving inappropriate messages to staff and misuse of funds, as the White House names Keith Sonderling acting secretary.
Management
GSA and OPM will soon share the same headquarters
The General Services Administration will temporarily move into the Office of Personnel Management’s building before both agencies ultimately transfer to a renovated GSA headquarters.
Sponsor Content
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Management
Businesses line up for $166B in refunds from Trump's tariffs as CBP system goes live
Refunds are expected within 30 to 60 days, Customs and Border Protection officials said.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Workforce
FAA sets records in effort to hire gamers as air traffic controllers
The agency received over 12,000 applications in less than two days, making the effort “wildly successful,” according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Tech
GSA No. 2 talks ‘million hours challenge,’ scaling agency AI efforts
GSA Deputy Administrator Michael Lynch last week offered a comprehensive look at the agency’s plans for key acquisition and shared services programs and new internal efforts aimed at automating work.
Pay & Benefits
Senators demand OPM withdraw plan to access feds’ medical records
More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers warned that a little-scrutinized proposal to collect claims-level data related to the Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs could violate federal law and doctor-client confidentiality.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
APR 21 CLOSE
$19.8418
$21.0016
$113.4140
$108.8549
$61.0076
DAILY CHANGE
0.0024
-0.0658
-0.7247
-0.8748
-0.8091
THIS MONTH (%)
0.25
0.53
8.26
9.76
7.95
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
APR 21 CLOSE
$13.5096
$22.7968
$43.8323
$71.1685
$60.4983
$30.0457
DAILY CHANGE
-0.1205
-0.2032
-0.3305
-0.4710
-0.3084
-0.0770
THIS MONTH (%)
8.26
8.26
6.86
6.04
4.72
2.48
FUND
APR 21
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$19.8418
0.0024
0.25
F
$21.0016
-0.0658
0.53
C
$113.4140
-0.7247
8.26
S
$108.8549
-0.8748
9.76
I
$61.0076
-0.8091
7.95
L 2070
$13.5096
-0.1205
8.26
L 2060
$22.7968
-0.2032
8.26
L 2050
$43.8323
-0.3305
6.86
L 2040
$71.1685
-0.4710
6.04
L 2030
$60.4983
-0.3084
4.72
L INCOME
$30.0457
-0.0770
2.48
Workforce
Labor groups sue to block FLRA’s political seizure of union elections
Federal employee unions warned that fast-tracked changes centralizing control of union representation petitions with the agency’s political appointees will bog down, rather than streamline, the election process.
Oversight
Severe staffing cuts at GSA are harming agencies across government, watchdog says
Due to the reductions, agencies reported that they were unsure about who to contact at GSA and had to delay project timelines.
Management
USDA is moving forward with various reorgs despite legal questions and bipartisan concerns
“This might be the best idea since sliced bread, I don’t know,” one Republican said.
Tech
Agencies report over 3,000 AI use cases in 2025
The number of reported use cases more than doubled from 2024, revealing the federal government’s continued appetite to acquire advanced artificial intelligence for its workflows.
Tech
AI is helping VA speed up claims processing, but Dems worry about errors
“Speed does not equal success,” Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y., said about VA’s use of automation and AI to process veterans’ benefits claims.
Management
‘Shirtless in a hot tub with Kid Rock’: Dems question RFK Jr. on HHS priorities and budget decisions
Lawmakers pressed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on proposed spending reductions and agency priorities, criticizing both policy decisions and his public messaging as they questioned the department’s direction under the Trump budget.
Oversight
Inspectors general targeted for funding cuts in Trump’s FY27 budget
Oversight groups warn that slashing budgets spent on rooting out fraud and waste will “fundamentally hamper” accountability and operations.
Pay & Benefits
When retirement calculations don’t move on the same timeline
Retroactive pay changes and delayed annuity adjustments underscore how federal retirement processing often depends on timing, coordination, and most importantly, patience.
Workforce
Hegseth orders termination of union contracts
Though some unions within the Defense Department are protected from the action by federal court orders, the American Federation of Government Employees’ locals remain vulnerable.
Exclusive
Management
VA has touted appointment wait time reductions, but new data shows a more mixed reality
A comparative analysis of select wait-time data for new patients at more than 100 medical centers indicates the department has made progress in some areas, but not all.
Workforce
OPM cuts degree requirements for government tech jobs in new standards
The changes have been years in the making and represent a federal hiring apparatus more focused on applicable skills than specific backgrounds.
Updated
Management
Vought defends fiscal 2027 budget request, as Democrats criticize OMB for violating spending law
The Trump administration proposed a 10% reduction to spending on non-defense agencies.
