Oversight
Key oversight and federal workforce nominees confirmed by Senate
Several of the individuals will lead agencies that have been downsized or otherwise weakened by the Trump administration.
Workforce
Judge rejects VA’s third attempt to cancel union contracts
U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose OK'd a motion to enforce her prior preliminary injunction preserving collective bargaining at the Veterans Affairs Department on the eve of its planned termination of a collective bargaining agreement with AFGE.
Tech
A key cybersecurity system is getting a closer look from Congress
A proposal to formalize the vulnerability tracking program could strengthen its foundation, but officials warn against rules that could limit its ability to adapt.
Tech
The government's AI guardrails are taking shape behind closed doors
A new process could influence how advanced AI is developed and used, even as many of its details remain confidential.
Pay & Benefits
The state of play around the 2027 pay raise, or lack thereof
Thus far, neither chamber of Congress has put forth a plan that would override President Trump’s planned pay freeze for next year.
Management
DOGE took credit for savings that never happened, watchdog finds
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed tens of billions of dollars in savings on its infamous “Wall of Receipts,” but the Government Accountability Office found it touted savings that never happened and could not be substantiated.
Oversight
Calls for IG probe of Reflecting Pool renovation come amid questions over watchdog's independence
The former inspector general at Interior and a senior House lawmaker criticized the apparent appointment of a Project 2025 co-author at the watchdog office.
Pay & Benefits
Former feds have a new way to find their personnel files
OPM’s new online service helps separated employees access records they may need years after leaving government.
Management
What history tells us about the potential government shutdown
Kicking the funding can down the road would prevent a government shutdown during the November midterms, but a flip of either the House or Senate would increase the odds of a prolonged December shutdown.
Workforce
Mediation agency changes how labor disputes move forward
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service says it is clarifying when it can decline to provide arbitrators, a change unions say exceeds its role.
Oversight
Watchdog puts new numbers on the size of DOGE, but many details remain unknown as agencies refuse to turn over information
In a new report, the Government Accountability Office said it was unable to verify if all Department of Government Efficiency employees completed mandatory activities intended to avoid conflicts of interest.
Management
CDC gets a new chief as agency faces questions over its direction
The Senate narrowly confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following a confirmation fight centered on vaccines and the future of federal public health policy.
Management
Critics argue Education's latest restructuring risks something harder to replace than staff
Former Education officials from both parties joined Senate Democrats in warning that moving key responsibilities to other agencies carries risks beyond staffing cuts.
Oversight
FEMA slashed staff without considering the effects on future disaster response, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office also found that the disaster agency is currently operating without a strategic workforce plan to determine staffing needs.
Tech
House probe finds gaps in U.S. effort to remove Chinese telecom risks
The findings highlight the challenges agencies face in addressing national security risks embedded in complex private networks.
Management
Blanche clears key hurdle in bid to lead Justice Department
A pair of Republican senators moved the acting attorney general's nomination forward after securing assurances about a controversial Trump-backed “anti-weaponization” fund.
Pay & Benefits
TSP investments continued to tumble in July
Nearly all of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost value last month.
Tech
GSA’s digital roadmap looks to enhance agencies’ services, CIO says
Efforts to speed up adoption of new capabilities have “disrupted the longstanding practice of how technology is driven into this government,” GSA CIO Dave Shive told Nextgov/FCW.
Pay & Benefits
LGBTQ+ feds sue to restore FEHB coverage of gender affirming care
A class action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s campaign to block gender affirming care coverage under federal agencies’ employer-sponsored health insurance program said the move is “akin to denying continuing insulin treatment for someone with diabetes.”
Tech