Oversight

Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE

The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.

Oversight

Advanced health research agency needs a strategic workforce plan, watchdog says

The GAO report also found ARPA-H, as of July 1, 2024, has not hired any scientists who are Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races.

Pay & Benefits

EEOC: The federal gender pay gap gets worse with age

The discrepancy between what men and women make in the federal government is substantially larger for those over 40 years old than that of their younger counterparts.

Workforce

Federal agencies respond to LA fires amid budget crunch

Federal firefighters are deploying to urban neighborhoods while some support positions are not being filled.

Oversight

Energy Dept. watchdog reports that travel expense violations in secretary’s criticized EV road trip caused by lack of oversight and knowledge

House Republicans blasted the trip as “ripe with waste, fraud and abuse,” but the report found that some of the violations cost the federal government less than $100.

Pay & Benefits

The Social Security Fairness Act: What we know so far

It may take time to implement this new law -- here’s what you should know for now.

Tech

OPM awards $149M cyber, network operations support contract

The Office of Personnel Management wants to more heavily lean on cloud-based technologies and a zero trust approach.

Management

GSA administrator: This agency’s workforce delivers effective, efficient government – now and into the future

COMMENTARY |The head of the General Services Administration, which manages administrative functions across the federal government, including real estate, acquisition and information technology, reflects on her tenure.

Oversight

Coast Guard is resisting oversight of mishandled sexual misconduct cases, lawmakers say

Congressional inquires were spurred by revelations that the Coast Guard did not disclose an investigation into possible sexual assaults at its service academy.

Tech

US has ‘a lot of work to do’ on cyber defenses, departing cyber czar says

Outgoing National Cyber Director Harry Coker thinks his office needs more influence over the federal cyber budget but not necessarily more authority on offensive cyber operations.

Management

Outgoing VA chief meets with Trump's 'very serious' transition team to discuss budget shortfall, other issues

Secretary Denis McDonough shares concerns about staffing with Trump's VA team, which is making dozens of requests for information during transition period.

Management

What does the Interior secretary do?

The Interior secretary manages vast lands that all Americans share − and can sway the balance between conservation and development.

Pay & Benefits

The forgotten keys to agency performance: Senior Executives

COMMENTARY | To help agencies better address their performance management, it could be time to take a fresh look at senior executives, and how they are compensated.

Workforce

Want to reform the federal government? Start with career execs

COMMENTARY | Career senior executives are a national asset, not tools of agency heads. It’s time to manage them as the valuable resource they are, argues one expert.

Pay & Benefits

OPM outlines pay, benefits rules for appointees resigning on Inauguration Day

The federal government’s HR agency also highlighted the ramifications of Jan. 20 coinciding with Martin Luther King Day for D.C.-area federal workers.

Management

Trump says his transition with the Biden administration is ‘not smooth’

Other reports, including from Trump's own chief of staff, indicate the process is going according to plan.

News

What to know about President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the U.S. Capitol

Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100 in his hometown of Plains, Ga., lived the longest of any U.S. president in history.

Management

IG, regulator bash USPS plans to slow some mail delivery

A test rollout of a key Postal Service initiative has not achieved any of the promised cost savings, auditors find.