Workforce
State Dept. further prepares for mass layoffs even as court block remains
A judge specified last month that State, like most major agencies, cannot yet move forward with RIFs.
Pay & Benefits
Tax-free…or not? Avoid these 4 Roth TSP mistakes
Not all money in a Roth Thrift Savings Plan account is automatically tax-free, and there are several things to consider before making a withdrawal to avoid tax and other penalties.
Management
With DeJoy out, postal stakeholders push for pause in criticized Delivering for America overhaul plan
Former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who reportedly was pressured into resigning, launched a 10-year reform plan called Delivering for America that members of both parties slammed for slowing service without any financial benefits.
News
How shrinking the EPA could make wildfire smoke even more dangerous
Proposed jobs and grants cuts by the Trump administration could have detrimental impacts in air quality monitoring at the federal, state and local government levels, stakeholders say.
Management
Funding for further EHR deployments ‘vitally important,’ VA secretary says
VA Secretary Doug Collins said failing to modernize the agency’s electronic health record system “hurts our community care process because our doctors cannot communicate with the community [or] our doctors internally.”
Oversight
Lawmakers spar over DOGE as Republicans look to lock in cuts
Republicans again blocked an attempt to subpoena billionaire and former DOGE leader Elon Musk.
Workforce
National Parks scramble to fill top leadership positions, but fix could create more vacancies
The agency is also struggling to recruit staff for front-line positions as the parks hit their busiest season.
Management
Lawmakers demand review of VA’s AI-driven contract cuts
Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Angus King, I-Maine, said the use of AI to identify agency contracts for termination “adds an entire new level of unease connected to the decision-making, security, governance, and quality control of the entire process.”
Workforce
From HIV clinics to outer space: Awards program spotlights federal employees in the face of civil service headwinds
The Partnership for Public Service has put on the Service to America medals for more than two decades to recognize exceptional civil servants, but the event took on more resonance this year amid federal workforce cuts.
Workforce
Most fed-targeting provisions in Senate reconciliation bill don’t pass Byrd muster
The Senate parliamentarian over the weekend found that many proposals targeting federal workers and their unions violate the Byrd rule and would require 60 votes to advance in the chamber.
Workforce
OPM’s new performance management rules are (mostly) spot on
COMMENTARY | OPM’s new performance management rules aim to end inflated ratings and eliminate pass-fail systems—but do they go too far in prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach?
Defense
DHS expects Iran’s cyber forces will target US networks after strikes on nuclear sites
Iran has often targeted U.S. digital systems. Last year, Iranian hackers pilfered and distributed sensitive documents from inside President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Workforce
OPM calls for quicker firings, more stringent performance standards
While experts agree that performance ratings in the federal government are inflated, the federal government’s HR agency’s proposal could exacerbate existing problems.
Management
Democratic leaders slam Trump effort to transfer some Education grant programs to Labor Department
The interagency agreement between Education and Labor regarding the grant programs is paused due to an injunction that deals with reductions in force.
Exclusive
Management
DOGE holds meetings with White House, new postal leadership and Treasury to discuss reforming USPS
Internal documents reveal a series of meetings with far-reaching impacts for the future of the Postal Service.
Management
Trump’s pick to lead Customs and Border Protection confirmed by Senate
Rodney Scott, the former Border Patrol chief, returns to a key role in Trump’s immigration agenda—despite renewed scrutiny over a migrant death under his past leadership.
Workforce
A time machine tour of civil service reform
COMMENTARY | From Washington to Trump, every era has redefined the rules of federal employment. If you could set the clock, which version of the merit system would you choose?
Oversight
Trump watchdog nominees draw congressional scrutiny for political histories
Labor inspector general nominee and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., praised President Donald Trump during his confirmation hearing, while Veterans Affairs IG nominee Cheryl Mason, who was a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, said she wasn’t involved in any decisions at the department.
Management
Judge grills DOJ official on order tying transportation funding to immigration enforcement
A lawsuit brought by 20 Democratic state attorneys general challenges an April directive from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Exclusive
Management