Oversight
Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is lacking, OIG says
In one notable example from a recent report, a guard at a federal facility told a visitor to place their firearm in a bush to access the building.
Management
Senate confirms Biden’s ethics czar, who will remain under Trump
Senate Democrats use dwindling floor time to confirm a new head for the government's ethics office, with whom Trump administration often butted heads in his first term.
Workforce
EPA employees are ‘freaking out’ over Trump’s return
Trump targeted EPA for cuts and deregulation in his first term. Employees are gearing up for a redux.
Updated
Management
Which of Trump's nominees have been confirmed?
These individuals will hold huge sway in enacting the president's policies toward federal employees.
Management
Could a new Trump administration push for another federal hiring freeze?
The president-elect's previous experience with a governmentwide 79-day halt to agency hiring could inform his new approach to the federal workforce, if those lessons still apply.
Pay & Benefits
House passes a bill eliminating tax provisions that harm some federal retirees
Despite solid bipartisan support, the Senate could run out of time to approve the legislation.
Management
Satisfaction with government hits record high just before a new Trump admin
The incoming Trump administration casts an uncertain light on the customer experience gains made in recent years.
Pay & Benefits
OPM’s retirement backlog ticked up slightly last month, though other metrics improved
Statistics measuring the federal government HR agency’s performance in processing departing federal workers’ retirement claims remained stable following the backlog’s removal from OPM’s list of top management challenges.
Management
Trump vows to 'dismantle federal bureaucracy' and 'restructure' agencies with new, Musk-led commission
Vivek Ramaswamy, who has vowed to cut 75% of the federal workforce, will co-chair the initiative.
Management
One federal agency hasn’t ensured its employee gyms are safe and secure, OIG says
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s inspector general sent out a management alert warning that the agency’s fitness facilities were in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as multiple OPM and GSA regulations.
Management
House Republicans say they’ll confer with Trump on shutdown avoidance plans
Republican leaders are weighing another stopgap bill, but want to consider Trump's preference.
Pay & Benefits
Feds find open season 'unpleasant'—but may miss thousands in savings
Federal enrollees have until Dec. 9 to make changes to their health coverage ahead of substantial premium increases.
Tech
Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says
The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.
Exclusive
Tech
DHS issues internal comms guidance amid telecom breach investigation
The DHS Cyber Safety Review Board is already slated to investigate the hacking collective, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and its intrusion into telecommunications firms and wiretap infrastructure.
Defense
Pentagon puts a dent in cyber workforce vacancies
Nearly a quarter of the Defense Department’s cyber jobs went unfilled last year.
Management
USPS is still rushing ballot delivery in 18 states still accepting them
The Postal Service is continuing to take special steps to ensure valid ballots can still be counted.
Management
Industry execs weigh potential impacts of presidential transition
A group of senior leaders at government contractors outline the challenges and opportunities they see in a second Trump term.
Tech
Will cyber suffer under Trump’s goal to slash federal budgets?
Donald Trump’s intent to cut agency budgets has sparked concerns over adequate cybersecurity funding for government networks. Some believe these fears may be overstated.
Workforce
Awards program spotlights the federal government’s ‘unsung heroes’ at a critical time for public service
The Arthur S. Flemming awards, co-coordinated by the George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration, is celebrating its 75th year honoring exceptional federal employees.
Management