Management
Labor Authority Investigator Finds EPA Violated Law with Unilateral Contract
FLRA board cannot adjudicate the case because its general counsel nominee awaits Senate confirmation.
Nextgov
GAO: Workforce Planning Across Government Isn’t Going as Planned
A review showed most federal agencies are implementing parts of GAO’s workforce planning framework while others are ignored due to competing priorities and leadership turnover.
Oversight
Senate Panel Tackles Unauthorized Appropriations, or ‘Zombie Payments’
Unauthorized payments accounted for 23% of the discretionary budget in 2019, compared to 10% in the early 1990s.
Management
Could Congress Reverse Trump’s Decision to Pull Troops Out of Syria?
Since the 1940s, Congress has largely let the president make decisions, while members of the House and Senate endorse or condemn those actions from the sidelines.
Defense
General: Trump Pullout Did Not Affect Baghdadi Raid Timing
“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President Needs Support From 'Rupublicans'
Donald Trump did some work to get to his latest typo on Twitter.
Route Fifty
With Obama-era Plan Scrapped, States Act to Expand Overtime Pay
Michigan’s governor is the latest to call for overtime rules that go beyond those at the federal level. Business groups are opposed.
Route Fifty
Report: How Cities Can Meet the Needs of Growing Senior Populations
From encouraging development of accessible and affordable housing to training older adults so they can get back into the workforce, the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging highlights ways cities are engaging with seniors.
Nextgov
Russian Hackers Launch Cyberattacks Against International Athletics Organizations
The attacks come as the World Anti-Doping Agency threatens to bar Russia from participating in major competitions, including the Olympics and other world championship events.
Defense
Viewpoint: Take It From Me, the Attacks on Vindman Are Disgraceful
I was born abroad and served. So did my three younger brothers. If Vindman is suspicious, are we?
Route Fifty
A Legislative Campaign to End Youth Tackle Football
A lawmaker in New York reintroduced a bill to ban tackle football for young children, continuing a debate over the safety of the sport.
Pay & Benefits
New Flexibilities for TSP Withdrawals Shake Things Up, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Management
Interior Department Says It Has Made Great Strides in Eliminating Systemic Harassment
Lawmakers applaud efforts, but say the progress is unproven as IG is still investigating harassment cases.
Nextgov
The Energy Department Is Transforming a Cyber Competition into a Hiring Tool
Top down leadership and a dedicated national lab team are helping the department embrace a new approach to closing the workforce gap.
Oversight
Watchdog: Better Information-Sharing Could Help Address Spike in College Hate Crimes
The Justice Department must keep its resources updated and raise awareness of them, GAO finds.
Defense
Price of F-35 Falls, But Not as Much As Pentagon Hoped
Defense officials say the cost of the plane’s engine is not declining as much as the airframe itself. The engine maker says it already dropped by half.
Management
Learning to be a Leader
A professional development seminar series open to all federal employees has helped thousands of feds connect across government.
Oversight
Play of the Day: More Trick-or-Treating at the White House
Donald and Melania Trump handed out candy to children on Monday night.
Route Fifty