Nextgov

4 Million Americans Waited Over an Hour in Line at Social Security Field Offices in 2019

Two separate Social Security Administration inspector general audits provide a detailed picture of customer experience over the past decade at the agency.

Management

Three Capabilities Agencies Must Master to Succeed in Future Crises

As new technology, demographic shifts, natural disasters and pandemics lead to an increasingly uncertain future, government institutions must adapt.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Senator Asks FEMA to Allow Schools to Use Disaster Funds for Reopening; Agencies Prepare for Large Scale Vaccine Production 

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Nextgov

Critical Update: Reinventing the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

Technology is important but keeping and developing talent will be crucial, NGA Director Vice Adm. Robert Sharp says.

Management

The End of Open-Plan Everything

Personal space is finally back in style, but re-creating it after two decades of its destruction is hardly a straightforward task.

Employee Policy

Esper calls out DOD’s culture of insufficient operations security

In a move to tighten operations security (OPSEC) and better protect national security and the safety of warfighters, the Defense Department is reminding employees not to disclose non-public information.

Benefits

Report: Rising fed COVID toll now tops 4,000 disabled, 60 dead

To date, more than 4,000 federal employees or their families have claimed disability compensation for COVID-19 contracted at work -- with around 60 more claiming death benefits, according to a new report.

Tech

GovExec Daily: The Present and Future of DevSecOps

Nextgov's Mariam Baksh joins the podcast to discuss how the Pentagon is moving forward with cybersecurity.

Route Fifty

Senate Republicans’ Relief Bill Scales Back Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

The proposal also does not include funding for state and local governments, but would allow them to use previous funding to offset falling revenues.

Nextgov

Bill Calls for National Database to Track Evictions

The Housing and Urban Development Department would be required to set up and secure a new, central resource. 

Defense

National Guard Commander To Testify ‘Excessive Force’ Used on White House Protesters

Officer on the scene saw spent tear gas canisters, contradicting key details of Attorney General Barr’s account of the controversial night.

Oversight

Lawmakers From Both Parties Seek Greater Vaccine Oversight

Under “Operation Warp Speed,” the Trump administration hopes to develop and distribute a vaccine for COVID-19 by early 2021.

Workforce

ICE May Be Giving Senior Execs Preferential Treatment on Disciplinary Matters

Agency may be incentivizing rank-and-file workers to engage in misbehavior, IG says.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Officials Provide Update on CARES Act, New Lifecycle Funds

In just 16 days, more than 13,000 Thrift Savings Plan participants have taken advantage of a temporarily available withdrawal option offered as part of the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Route Fifty

Facing Poll Worker Shortage, One State Offers Credit Hours to Lawyers Who Volunteer

The Ohio Supreme Court approved a rule change to grant four hours of continuing education credits to practicing attorneys who work a full shift at the polls on Election Day.

Management

Analysis: 4 Lawsuits that Challenge Trump’s Federal Agents in Portland Test Issues Other Cities Will Likely Face

The lawsuits filed in Portland sparked by the presence of federal law enforcement agents sent there by President Trump are a preview of the legal battles to come in cities across the U.S.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: 4,000 Feds Seek Disability Compensation for Infection at Work; First Phase 3 Vaccine Trial in US Begins 

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Defense

Trump Eases Restrictions On Armed Drone Sales Abroad

US says changes needed to compete with China, but critics say it may only alienate allies.

Employee Policy

AFGE expands COVID hazard pay suit

American Federation of Government Employees has amended its claim for hazard pay for federal workers exposed to the coronavirus, adding plaintiffs from several new agencies.