Oversight

Temporary Spending Bill Relieves Intel Agencies From Oversight

Senate Intelligence panel leaders warned against the House-backed provision.

Defense

Trump's Red Line on North Korea Gets Fuzzier

Mike Pompeo adds a few caveats to America's strategy.

Oversight

How Democrats Stopped Worrying and Learned to Accept Trump's Wall

Sen. Chuck Schumer’s offer to fund the border wall as part of a deal on DACA reflects a shift in Democratic priorities on immigration that has been months in the making.

Management

How Agency Leaders Can Seize the Opportunity to Reorganize Government

The Office of Management and Budget soon will begin tracking progress on President Trump’s executive order to reorganize the executive branch.

Oversight

Justice Inspector General Goes to Work to Locate Disputed FBI Text Messages

Lawmakers trade partisan interpretations of whether missing files could show anti-Trump bias.

Management

Yet Another Stopgap Funding Bill Likely in February, Lawmakers Say

It would mark the fifth continuing resolution of fiscal 2018.

Route Fifty

The Leading Challenge Many U.S. Mayors Say Their Cities Are Facing

Based on the latest Menino Survey of Mayors, it’s “not just a coastal problem, but a problem everywhere.”

Nextgov

DHS Inoculating Labs Against Hacks That Could Release Dangerous Diseases

The department is developing ways to secure federal research facilities from cyberattacks on their internet-connected controls.

Nextgov

Trump Year Two Starts with Major Tech and Cyber Vacancies

Roughly one-quarter of agency CIOs and one-third of CISOs are serving on an acting basis one year into the Trump administration.

Management

We Need A Plan for Federal Communications

Trust in government is at an all-time low. Poor communication is one reason.

Nextgov

Vendors Can Still Weigh in GAO’s 5-Year Tech Contract

The oversight office extended the deadline for industry to give advice on its coming modernization contract.

Management

Why the Shutdown Didn’t Much Affect Defense Firms

Timing is everything. Three days — including a weekend — is not quite enough to cause production problems that really hurt.

Management

To Better Focus on a New Task, Try This Plan

When one item on your to-do list interrupts another before you can finish, this plan can keep you focused.

Route Fifty

A Breakdown of the Leaked Trump Infrastructure Plan

The 6-page document, published by Axios and Politico, shows what may be taking shape as the White House looks to formally release its proposal.

Nextgov

Massive Reduction in FBI Cyber Crime Takedowns Was Result of Definition Change

Stricter guidelines on what counts as a disruption or dismantlement led to a 10X reduction.

Management

How the Government Shutdown Disrupted SpaceX's Plans

The government shutdown shows just how much budget fights in Washington could derail Elon Musk’s rocket ambitions.

Pay & Benefits

White House Says All Feds Should Expect to Return to Work Tuesday

Three-day shutdown only led to a half-day furlough for most non-excepted feds.

Management

Lawmaker Accuses State Department of Tolerating Abusive Executives

Multiple complaints allege that SES member created a "climate of fear."

Pay & Benefits

Update: Lawmakers Approve Post-Shutdown Back Pay for Feds

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., advocated quick action to compensate federal employees for lost hours on Monday.

Route Fifty

Route Fifty’s 2018 Management Survey Results Are In

Among our takeaways: senior personnel need to open a dialogue with rank-and-file employees.