Nextgov
Top Senator Says Modernizing VA’s EHR 'Is Not Optional'
After leading GOP lawmakers introduced legislation to terminate the deployment of VA’s new electronic health record program, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.—chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee—said upgrading the system “has to be done.”
Breaking News
Defense
US Shoots Down ‘Objects’ Off Alaska Coast, Over Canada, Lake Huron
White House was worried object on Friday posed “potential hazard to civilian air traffic.”
Tech
Online ‘Sextortion’ Scams up Eightfold, FTC Says
Consumers paid $1.3 billion to romance scammers in 2022.
Management
The Challenge of Modernizing the Civil Service
What has been done over the past few years to prepare the federal workforce for the 21st century? Virtually nothing.
Workforce
Public Servants Want to Be Paid Well… And Valued
Gordon Abner joins the podcast to discuss the things that keep federal employees in their jobs.
Oversight
Era of ‘Free’ Vaccines, Test Kits, and Treatments Is Ending. Who Will Pay the Tab Now?
Insurers, employers, and taxpayers will all be affected as drug manufacturers move these products to the commercial market.
Workforce
Labor Authority Denies Union Request to Block Outside Groups from Seeking Policy Statements
The National Treasury Employees Union had sought to bar organizations that do not represent federal workers from asking the Federal Labor Relations Authority to change their policies.
Management
USPS Opens a New Line of Credit With Treasury
The Postal Service has grown its liquidity immensely, but is eligible to borrow up to an additional $5 billion.
Management
Coronavirus Roundup: Watchdog Slams Trump-Era ‘Project Airbridge’ For Medical Supplies
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of this week’s news updates and stories you may have missed.
Oversight
New U.S. House Weaponization Panel to Probe FBI, IRS, ATF
Chairman Jim Johnson called on whistleblowers from throughout federal government to come forward to share information with committee
Management
How do You Oversee Money That's Hard to Track?
The Project on Government Oversight's Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette joins the podcast to discuss how to minimize fraud in government spending.
Pay & Benefits
A Bill to Fix a Customs and Border Protection Retirement Snafu Is Revived in the Senate
More than 1,000 Customs and Border Protection officers were mistakenly promised enhanced retirement benefits, only to have them taken away once the agency realized its error.
Tech
Congress Told HHS to Set Up a Health Data Network in 2006. The Agency Still Hasn’t.
Since 2006, federal officials have been charged with setting up a network to let various parts of the U.S. health system share information during emergencies. It still hasn’t been built or even planned, even after the communication and data-sharing failures put on display during the pandemic.
Management
Federal Officials’ Plans for the Super Bowl Have Reached the End Zone
More than 600 Homeland Security personnel are providing support for this year's game.
Tech
IRS Names Advisors on Possible Government-Run Direct Filing System for Taxpayers
The IRS tapped New America to report on the feasibility of a free, public-facing IRS-hosted tax filing infrastructure for ordinary taxpayers.
Workforce
Want to Modernize? Make Sure You Hire People With Digital Skills
Cisco's Jeff Campbell joins the podcast to discuss the skills shortage holding back industry and government.
Nextgov
National Cyber Director to Retire Next Week
Chris Inglis will retire almost two years after beginning the job.
Management
3 Biden Officials Are Serving Unlawfully, a Watchdog Rules
GAO continues a standoff with the Biden administration over the rules of agency leaders serving in temporary capacities.
Management