Route Fifty
How the End of the Federal Unemployment Boost Will Hurt the Economy
The $600-a-week federal boost in unemployment benefits is set to stop at the end of this month, leaving millions of people to live on substantially less money. Economists say the effects will also be felt throughout the U.S. economy.
Nextgov
CISA Gives Agencies 24 Hours to Mitigate Windows DNS Server Vulnerability
The agency issued an emergency directive for just the third time ever.
Workforce
VA Should Better Protect Employees From Sexual Harassment, GAO Says
Inconsistent and outdated policies are coupled with management structures that leave employees vulnerable.
Management
Federal Employees May Wear or Display Black Lives Matter Paraphernalia at Work
The Office of Special Counsel released guidance on how the Hatch Act applies to the movement.
Pay & Benefits
Burning Benefits Questions
A summertime Q&A featuring hot issues involving federal retirement benefits.
Nextgov
Attorney General: China May Supplant U.S. If It Wins AI Race
William Barr blasted Google, Microsoft and other American big tech companies for being short-sighted while meeting the Chinese government’s demands for operating within the country.
Workforce
Half of Security Clearance Holders Are Under Continuous Evaluation
If you have an active security clearance and you’re not currently enrolled in CE, you likely soon will be.
Nextgov
Security Clearance Reformers Tout Progress Amid COVID-19
The pandemic pushed adjudicators to conduct more virtual interviews, though that progress might be undone when the crisis passes.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: 'It's Complicated' Between Fauci and Trump; Contracting Community Asks for Extended Relief
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Defense
Build Allies Into Tomorrow’s Battlefield Network, Army Leaders Say
The service is trying to build a communications network that’s big enough to include coalition partners but small enough to fit on a truck and drive off to war.
Tech
Researchers Publish Encouraging Early Data on COVID-19 Vaccine
The director of the National Institutes of Health is "confident that we will be able rise to the challenge of ending this pandemic that has devastated so many lives."
Employee Policy
USPS’ solvency plans eliminate overtime, may delay mail delivery
At a meeting in Ohio, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy outlined his plans to bring the Postal Service back to solvency, including elimination of overtime -- even if it means the mail is not delivered on time.
Pay
House committee passes DHS spending bill, boosts USCIS funding
Passage comes a day after union leaders warned about impacts of looming USCIS furloughs.
Oversight
Your Coping and Resilience Strategies Might Need to Shift as the COVID-19 Crisis Continues
As the pandemic drags on, uncertainty and fears about health and safety mix with confusion and challenges tied to re-opening society. You need flexibility when picking your coping strategies.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Government Customer Service and the 'New Normal'
Nextgov's Frank Konkel joins the podcast to discuss how the pandemic is changing the way government contact centers do business.
Management
Senate Democrat Asks Agencies for Their Reopening Plans
Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., wants to ensure employees are protected from the novel coronavirus upon return.
Defense
To Block Trump's Troop Withdrawals, Congress Turns An Old Tactic Upside Down
Congress historically has tried to force presidents to bring troops home. But in the last three years, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to make laws to do the opposite.
Route Fifty
Trump Raises Possibility of New Federal Law Enforcement Intervention in Cities
The president said that an announcement on the topic could be coming next week.
Route Fifty
Hoping to Spur Participation, City Unleashes the Census Cowboy
The "census cowboy" will ride on horseback to 10 neighborhoods in Chicago with the lowest participation rates in the federal census, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said this week.
Pay & Benefits