Defense
The White House Held a Party For Its DHS Nominee, Then Sent the Agency the Bill
Cabinet heads and corporate lobbyists gathered to celebrate Kirstjen Nielsen.
Oversight
Republicans Rally Around Raising the Deficit
The Senate’s passage of a budget resolution on Thursday night was a victory for party unity, but a defeat for the GOP’s remaining fiscal hawks.
Management
Federal Agencies Deal With Sexual Misconduct Inconsistently
House GOP report says agencies are failing to provide a "protected working environment."
Nextgov
What One Tech-Focused Lawmaker Says Stands in the Way of Modernization
Rep. Gerry Connolly renewed his call for the federal chief information officer and chief technology officer positions to be filled.
Defense
This Technology Could Help Solve IED Detection — And Airport Security Too
New radio-wave sensors are designed to suss out hidden explosives —whether in car bombs or carry-on laptops.
Defense
Analysis: The Anguish of John Kelly
The White House chief of staff decried the desacralization of military deaths—but it was the president he serves who politicized condolence calls.
Nextgov
Mash Up Library of Congress Data, Maybe Win $5,000
The Library of Congress launched a new data competition searching for new ways to use legislative data sets from Congress.gov.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Trump's Condolence Calls
The president is involved in yet another controversy.
Route Fifty
U.S. Senate Approves Tax-Related Amendment State and Local Groups Oppose
“This is a disappointment,” a lead National Governors Association staffer said of the measure, which could have implications for the state and local tax deduction.
Management
Postal Service Asks Employees to Volunteer to Relocate to Puerto Rico
The agency will not provide any travel or lodging reimbursements.
Pay & Benefits
Report: White House Officials Backed 2019 Pay Freeze, $300 Billion in Cuts to Employee Compensation
Memo leaked to liberal news site also proposes eliminating FERS defined benefit program and retiree health benefits for new hires.
Nextgov
GAO Denies Northrop Grumman Protest in $1 Billion DHS Cybersecurity Contract Fight
Northrop Grumman has been wrangling with contract winner Raytheon over the DOMino contract since 2015.
Route Fifty
Medicaid Enrollment Growth Is Slowing, But State Spending Is on the Rise
A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of state Medicaid directors takes a close look at the fiscal outlook for the program.
Pay & Benefits
5 Things You Should Do to Prepare for Health Benefits Open Season
For many federal employees and retirees, this is a time of frustration and confusion.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Approves Budget Plan, Setting Up Fight Over Fed Benefit Cuts
The House version of the resolution includes $32 billion in cuts, likely to employee retirement and health insurance programs.
Management
Small Agency’s Employees Say They Felt Pressured to Report Improved Job Satisfaction
But leader of Chemical Safety Board says big uptick in Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey scores was the result of management improvement initiatives.
Nextgov
Mattis Opposes Splitting Defense CIO Duties
The defense secretary’s letter also objects to a requirement that the Defense Department notify other nations before responding to cyber threats.
Management
House Oversight Leaders Press Tardy Agencies to Reveal Their Travel Costs
Committee chairman threatens Agriculture and Justice with subpoenas.
Nextgov