Management
Play of the Day: McConnell Delays the Senate Health Care Vote
Also, the American Medical Association criticized the bill this week.
Route Fifty
Draft Appropriations Bill Bucks Trump’s Request to Ax Rural Water, Sewer Program
“Congress is declaring they are retaining the USDA rural water funding initiative,” according to a policy analyst with the National Rural Water Association.
Nextgov
Consumers Think The Government’s Voice Should Be Female
People would use a government version of Siri or Alexa as long as it sounded human, a new survey shows.
Pay & Benefits
House Republicans Express Concern With Trump's Proposed Federal Retirement Program Cuts
Nine Republicans say they are particularly troubled with idea of applying the cuts to current employees and retirees, not just future hires.
Nextgov
Officials: Controversial Surveillance Law Helped Stop Smartphone Attack
Intelligence officials declined to reveal how many Americans have been scooped up by FISA section 702 programs.
Management
Contractors Object to Parts of OMB's Agency Reporting Reductions
Some changes to requirements could cause confusion or remove useful controls, group argues.
Nextgov
White House Office of American Innovation Lays Out Priorities
Led by Jared Kushner, the collection of White House talent has been described as a “SWAT team of internal consultants” and a liaison between federal bureaucracies and Silicon Valley innovation.
Route Fifty
Utah State Rep. Blames Wildfire on ‘Bird and Bunny Lovers, Tree-Huggers and Rock-Lickers’
Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Federal judge rules Alabama must improve its prison mental health care; decision on Flint water contract extension; and a Bay Area migration to Sacramento.
Management
Federal Agencies Promise 'Professional, Organized' Implementation of Trump's Travel Ban
Agencies are collaborating, but many details are still unclear for Thursday’s roll out.
Management
Get Over Your Discomfort and Learn to Deliver Effective Feedback
You’ll help both your team and your career.
Management
How Decluttering and Downsizing Could Help Agencies Get Off GAO’s High Risk List
The Federal Asset Sale and Transfer Act aims to help.
Defense
The Military Declares War on Sprawl
The Pentagon thinks better designed, more walkable bases can help curb obesity and improve troops’ fitness.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Sketches of the White House Press Briefings
Cameras are not allowed, so artists are now relaying what the White House Press Room looks like.
Route Fifty
Health Bill Updates: The Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act Gets a CBO Score; NGA Says Slow Down
Monday was a busy day for the health reform debate on Capitol Hill and in state capitals.
Nextgov
CSRA Will Build the Next MilCloud
The Falls Church, Virginia-based IT contractor captured the IDIQ contract, valued at up to $500 million.
Management
Privatized Tax Debt Collection Again Sparks Firestorm
New program, like previous efforts, faces accusations of overly aggressive tactics.
Nextgov
DOJ Asks High Court to Clarify Email Warrants Abroad
The Justice Department says it should be able to produce warrants for emails held by U.S. companies even if they’re stored abroad; tech companies disagree.
Management
Why Is the Onus on Women to Curb Workplace Interruptions?
Some businesses are actively taking steps to solve a problem that is too often left to female employees.
Nextgov
How Bots Can Help DARPA's Confidence Problem
The Pentagon R&D unit wants to automate the process of assessing scientific studies.
Oversight