Defense

Trump Officials Reviewing DOD Support To CIA

Some officials familiar with the review see it as an effort to cut vital DOD support to the agency.

Defense

US Military to Start Vaccinating Troops, Behind Russia and China

DOD has picked 16 sites for a “controlled pilot” COVID vaccination program.

Nextgov

Beware of COVID-19 Vaccine Scammers, FTC Warns

The Federal Trade Commission expects some opportunists to attempt to bilk the public when COVID-19 vaccines are made available.

Management

GovExec Daily: Housing and the COVID-19 Crisis

Sarah Saadian of the National Low Income Housing Coalition joins the podcast to discuss ways the incoming Biden administration can help renters during the pandemic.

Route Fifty

Possibility of State Medicaid Cuts Looms in 2021

When states reduce spending on the program it also means they lose federal matching funds. Meanwhile, a new report highlights the long-term importance of the health coverage for kids.

Management

House Passes One Week Stopgap Spending Bill

Lawmakers send measure to Senate and hope for full-year omnibus by new Dec. 18 deadline.

Management

Global Media Agency Head Replaces Acting Voice of America Director 

This is the latest in a series of controversial moves by Michael Pack during his six months in office.

Route Fifty

2020 Sees Largest Year-Over-Year Rise in Murder on Record

Preliminary data from this year shows that homicide rates are up in most major cities. The pandemic and social unrest are both possible factors in the rise.

Pay & Benefits

House Overwhelmingly Passes Defense Bill With Leave Benefits, Setting Up Confrontation with Trump

Although the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, the president has threatened to veto the must-pass bill over unrelated matters.

Management

VA Flags Potential Staffing, Resource Hurdles in Vaccine Distribution

The department will start with a small distribution of doses, but expects a series of hurdles in inoculating its entire workforce and network.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Biden Outlines COVID Plan for First 100 Days; Trump Directs Agencies to Prioritize Giving Americans Vaccines 

Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Management

Study of Healthcare Workers Shows COVID-19 Immunity Lasts Many Months

In the rare instances in which someone with acquired immunity for SARS-CoV-2 subsequently tested positive for the virus, they never showed any signs of being ill.

Defense

Army Disciplines 14 Soldiers, Creates New Duty Status After Murder

The steps follow the conclusion of one of several inquests into the April murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen.

Oversight

Efforts to Stop Trump’s Border Wall Construction Could Extend Long Past Inauguration Day

President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next month will mark a change in border policies, but the litigation over Donald Trump’s border wall could continue, wall opponents say.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: A Pay Freeze and Schedule F Update

Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the latest in federal workforce news.

Route Fifty

'It's All Gone Too Far:' A State Election Official Takes on Trump and the Age of Misinformation

Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system implementation manager, called out his fellow Republicans for failing to condemn threats and conspiracy theories in the wake of the election. The world heard him.

Route Fifty

With Vaccine Approval Imminent, States Ready Plans to Give People Their Shots

The federal government could approve and begin distributing vaccines to protect against Covid-19 as soon as next week.

Route Fifty

McConnell: State and Local Aid Should Be Left Out of Near-Term Virus Relief Deal

The Senate majority leader recommended passing a package with programs that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, while the Trump administration offered its own proposal.