Management
GSA updates standards to advance green federal buildings
The Biden administration wants federal buildings to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.
Workforce
The importance of inclusivity in government agencies
COMMENTARY | Through small, thoughtful changes in practices, the federal government can create more welcoming environments for all individuals to improve public trust, engagement, and overall performance.
Oversight
Whistleblower hearing spotlights Coast Guard handling of sexual misconduct
Congressional investigations into sexual assault and harassment in the military branch began after a media report found the Coast Guard Academy covered up misconduct.
Defense
DARPA hires Twitter whistleblower to serve as its CIO
Peiter “Mudge” Zatko — the former security head of then-Twitter who alleged that the platform was overlooking critical security flaws — will be returning to DARPA after almost a decade away in the private sector.
News
Walz’s U.S. House tenure: Bipartisan bills and a focus on vets and farms
The Democratic running mate has an extensive record on Capitol Hill as an effective lawmaker who was largely bipartisan.
Pay & Benefits
Managing your Social Security benefits
Wondering when you should start receiving your Social Security benefits, how much it might be and if the Social Security trust fund will run out of money? We answer those questions, and more.
Oversight
Nonprofit urges the White House to fill vacant watchdog roles
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington penned a letter to President Biden Wednesday calling for the appointment of 14 inspectors general to fill roles at agencies such as the General Services Administration and Social Security Administration.
Oversight
Senators ask Social Security for info on AI work
Though the Social Security Administration has been using artificial intelligence tools in some form for two decades, the lawmakers stressed the need to engage the public as it explores new technologies like generative AI.
News
Congress limps toward the end of a disappointing session, with just 78 laws to show
A divided Congress has shepherded fewer bills to the president this session, often fostering little consensus in 2024, and things don't look to improve during election season.
Management
How the FDA could shape the future of psychedelics research
To move the drugs forward, manufacturers may need to follow the agency’s advice for elevating the quality of evidence.
Oversight
Agencies have only completed about half of GAO’s COVID-19 recommendations
Many of the open recommendations deal with matters on GAO’s high risk list.
Pay & Benefits
Federal government needs better oversight of TSP’s records system
A GAO report found that the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board did not ensure that acquisition management practices were fully enforced when it modernized the system that oversees its 401(k)-style retirement savings program.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s retirement backlog continued to creep higher in July
The Office of Personnel Management processed nearly 500 fewer retirement requests than it received last month, causing its backlog to inch up for the second straight month.
Defense
Senator demands more veteran access to VA's military sex trauma resources
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., expressed his ongoing concerns with the lack of coordination between the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments in making servicemembers aware of their eligibility for VA services like confidential counseling.
News
Here's new Democratic VP pick Walz's record on civil service issues
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz previously served in the House of Representatives for a dozen years where he became the top Democrat on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Updated
News
Tim Walz picked by Harris as her running mate
The Minnesota governor was seen as the preferred vice presidential pick of the party’s progressive wing.
Tech
Benefits.gov to shutter in September
The Labor Department’s benefits-focused website dates back to 2002.
Pay & Benefits
Cassidy ties proposed 30% pay and benefits cuts to federal telework
The Louisiana Republican has introduced bills to bar federal workers from receiving locality pay if they telework at least once per week and excising locality pay from all future feds’ pensions.
Defense
Senate confirms first-ever Pentagon cyber policy chief
The new position would help the DOD increase its public-facing cyber outreach efforts.
Management