Oversight
After Scathing Report, VA Faces Criticism for Not Improving Whistleblower Protection Office More Quickly
"I cannot in good faith direct them to your office," a top lawmaker tells the head of VA's whistleblower office.
Pay & Benefits
Social Security Ends Telework Program for 12,000 Employees
Workers in all of the Social Security Administration’s operations components have less than two weeks to find alternate arrangements.
Nextgov
Pentagon Tech Chief Defends Integrity of JEDI Award
The White House had no sway over the $10 billion JEDI cloud computing contract that the Defense Department awarded Microsoft, according to Chief Information Officer Dana Deasy.
Route Fifty
A State Could Become the First to Fund Searches for Remains of MIA Soldiers
State legislators hope to fund a University of Wisconsin program that identifies remains of missing soldiers, allowing researchers to focus on finding service members from the Dairy State.
Route Fifty
California Fires Back Over Trump Administration’s Water, Air Complaints
State agencies said many of the water and air quality violations flagged by the EPA in a series of letters issued in September were already being addressed or were based on incorrect data.
Management
You Learn More From Success Than Failure
Though you've probably heard a lot about learning from failure, new research finds we learn a lot more from our successes.
Nextgov
Agency Spending on Outsourced IT Nearly Doubled in Fiscal 2019
Only a portion of that was directly spent on cloud services.
Pay & Benefits
Democratic Senators Renew Push for Contractors to Receive Shutdown Back Pay
The House previously approved a similar measure, but the White House opposed it.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Board Revisits Decision to Broaden International Fund
A bipartisan group of senators has been urging officials to reconsider the decision to allow investments in Chinese companies.
Management
The IRS Tried to Hide Emails That Show Tax Industry Influence Over Free File Program
After ProPublica sued the IRS, the agency released emails that show it has allowed the tax preparation industry to write the rules.
Management
Trump's Controversial 'Remain in Mexico' Immigration Policy Expands Along Texas' Southern Border
The Migrant Protection Protocols, a program requiring migrants to wait in Mexico as their asylum requests are pending, is in effect in Eagle Pass, El Paso, Laredo and Brownsville.
Defense
Pentagon Vows to Guard the Syrian Oil That Trump Wants to Seize
That includes warding off Syrian and Russian forces, SecDef Esper says, with murky justification under domestic and international law.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The President's Tweets About Taking Credit For Killing Wanted Terrorists
Donald Trump's old tweets tell a different story than the one he told on Sunday.
Route Fifty
As Cyclist and Pedestrian Fatalities Rise, Watchdog Flags Shortcomings With Traffic Safety Data
A federal oversight agency is offering recommendations for improving the consistency and availability of fatality and injury statistics reported by states.
Route Fifty
Report: Georgia Towns Too Reliant on Fines and Fees as a Revenue Generator
A new study analyzes three towns’ reliance on fines and fees for their annual budget, finding they represent between 14% and 25% of revenues.
Management
Meet the Former OPM and Defense Department Employee Running for President
J.J. Walcutt says she had to step out of the shadows of government in order to elevate those still obscured by them.
Oversight
AFGE President Takes Leave Amid Harassment Allegations
The largest federal employee union will conduct an internal investigation into J. David Cox’s conduct after 10 current and former union employees told Bloomberg News of unwanted advances and inappropriate comments.
Management
Trump Orders Study of Root Causes of Crime, Policing Practices
Attorney General William Barr will lead the new Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
Route Fifty
Nothing Can Alleviate the Pain of a Stillborn Baby. But States Consider Helping with Parents' Financial Burdens
Several states have passed laws allowing parents of stillborn babies to claim tax credits. Several others have proposed it.
Management