Defense

Issa Issues Yet Another Subpoena to Secretary of State Kerry on Benghazi

House oversight chairman says State Department "backtracked" on new May 29 hearing date.

Management

3 Killer B’s of Government Effectiveness

Avoiding them will require agencies to conduct an honest self-evaluation.

Oversight

VA Chief Says He Does Fire Poor Performers -- Thousands of Them

Shinseki points to record of 6,000 terminations, transfers and forced retirements during a heated congressional hearing on mismanagement.

Management

Advocacy Groups Offer VA Whistleblowers a New Outlet

Website allows employees to air complaints of wrongdoing; investigators will try to follow up.

News

Bad News for Agency Budgets

Spending on nondefense investments is nearing historic lows.

Nextgov

Why the FBI Wants to Procure Malware

Agency expects the malicious code to provide actionable intelligence for criminal and intelligence matters.

Defense

How to Manage Expectations for Your Rally to Overthrow the American Government

Operation American Spring is a militia-heavy protest explicitly aiming to force Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, and Eric Holder from office.

Management

Study: You Really Can 'Work Smarter, Not Harder'

Research shows that reflecting after learning something new makes it stick in your brain.

Management

Nuclear Weapons Complex Reform Could Mean Pay Cut For Contractors

Contracts have been under increased scrutiny due to repeated cost overruns, delays and security failures.

Oversight

Why We Can't Stop Talking About Filibusters

The refusal of Senate Republicans to compromise has backfired on them big time.

Defense

Obama Has Every Reason to Fix the VA. Why Hasn't He?

The candidate made taking care of veterans a pledge and a priority.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Why You Should Stop Recycling

Stephen Colbert explains that global warming's effects are 'unstoppable' anyway.

Management

What It Will Take to Improve Morale

Fixing employee engagement starts with managers.

Benefits

VA head testifies before Senate committee

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki told a Senate panel this week that VA will take timely action if allegations of misconduct within the department are substantiated by the department's inspector general, but also reminded senators that VA succeeds on a daily basis at providing a massive amount of care for vets.

Employee Policy

DOJ announces $60M settlement for alleged SCRA violations

The Justice Department announced it has reached a settlement with the nation's largest student loans servicer to pay nearly $60 million in restitution to settle allegations that the organization violated the legal rights of U.S. service members eligible for benefits under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

Employee Policy

Air Force to fast-track HQ staff cuts

The Air Force plans to trim more than 20 percent of its headquarters staff within one year, rather the five years laid out in a directive issued last summer by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

Pay & Benefits

Three New Bills That Could Change Feds' Benefits

Proposals would affect legislative, military and executive branch personnel.

Pay & Benefits

Bill Would Exempt Federal Public Safety Officers From Retirement Tax Penalty

Legislation would make sure federal law enforcement employees and firefighters don’t pay 10 percent tax on TSP money when they retire early.

Nextgov

Did Cat Litter Precipitate the Nuclear Waste Dump Fire?

Specifically, the organic variety is under scrutiny.