Oversight

Fraud-fighting oversight committee gets a life extension in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee was set to sunset in September, but now has life through 2034.

Management

Senate confirms new Office of Personnel Management head in mostly party-line vote

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the only Republican to vote against Scott Kupor's nomination.

Workforce

SSA touts service improvements, but reassignments tell a different story

Though Commissioner Frank Bisignano has heralded the addition of AI assistants to the Social Security Administration’s customer service streams, the agency is quietly reassigning field office staff to man its 1-800 number.

Workforce

Trump's pick to lead NOAA pledges to restaff weather service

Nominee says he would work to undo the workforce cuts from the last few months, though the process could take time.

Pay & Benefits

Retirement board finalizes new rule on how debt is calculated for some TSP loans

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board will put into effect a final rule recalculating how federal employees repay accrued interest on reamortized loans from the government’s 401(k)-style retirement plan.

Updated Management

Federal agencies can resume mass layoffs, Supreme Court rules

Many agencies across government are expected to swiftly implement workforce cuts.

Workforce

Trump extends hiring freeze for 3 more months

Most agencies will now face a moratorium on hiring at least through mid-October after Trump issues his third freeze order.

Management

High case numbers could snarl federal employees who appeal their removals

The Merit Systems Protection Board reported that, so far this fiscal year, it has received 11,166 appeals, which is twice its typical workload. A backlog could emerge if a quorum is not restored to the agency to issue final decisions.

Management

NTEU Chief: The people—and the law—will insist that CFPB survive

COMMENTARY | "If a president objects to a federal law, they need to take it up with Congress, not fire everyone hired to implement it," writes Doreen Greenwald, national president of the National Treasury Employees Union.

Oversight

Schumer requests probe into impact of staffing cuts on Texas flood response

The Trump administration denies the hundreds of reductions to the National Weather Service workforce had any effect on preparations.

Workforce

Trump admin faces multi-front pushback on reported plans to cut most of DHS intel bureau

Jewish community and law enforcement organizations have asked the Trump administration’s top security chiefs to preserve the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis after Nextgov/FCW reported its plans to severely reduce its workforce.

Breaking News Workforce

VA backs down on mass layoffs, will cut 30K through attrition only

Following significant pushback, VA is reversing course on its plan for widespread RIFs while still promising some staffing reductions.

Updated Workforce

3 injured during a gunfight at a Border Patrol building in Texas

Federal and local law enforcement responded to the shooting, which occurred at a facility near the southern border

Management

FDA layoffs could compromise safety of medications made at foreign factories, inspectors say

Beyond staff cuts, the departures of some longtime investigators in recent months have left less experienced people tasked with rooting out dangerous manufacturing practices.

Workforce

Reconciliation bill includes measure to help civilian intel analysts cover moving costs

The policy aims to ease the financial burden on non-military intelligence workers by aligning their moving expense tax benefits with those already afforded to military personnel.

Workforce

OPM deemphasizes ‘favorite EO’ essay following legal challenge

A quietly circulated memo from the federal government's HR agency warns hiring managers against using the essay responses as a "ideological litmus test" for job applicants.

Exclusive Management

Postal group urges new postmaster general to halt stamp price increase

The cost of stamps has increased as a corollary of former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s much-criticized plan to overhaul U.S. Postal Service operations.

Workforce

US civil servants: Do we love them or hate them? Or just thank them? 

COMMENTARY | Public servants have to constantly navigate and implement the federal government's balance of individual liberty and public safety. The recognition of that challenging work shouldn't reserved just for special occasions.

Management

Trump’s science order faces scrutiny from scientists and lawmakers

Critics are raising alarms over the Restoring Gold Standard Science executive order, saying the updated guidelines could weaken safeguards meant to keep politics out of federal research.