Defense
The Promise Presidential Candidates Never Make Good On
Most Democrats want to end the war in Afghanistan, but the next president will have to weigh the trade-off between a responsibility to the American public and what the U.S. owes a country it invaded and promised to rebuild.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Health Insurance Program to Restrict Opioids, Potential Social Security Changes for Some Feds, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Nextgov
FBI Wants Tech to Track Social Media for Criminals and Terrorists Before They Act
Proposals from interested vendors are due later this month.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Spent Millions on Vulnerable Chinese Tech in 2018, Watchdog Says
The procurements, which could expose the department and its contractors to espionage and cyberattacks, highlight significant gaps in the Pentagon’s supply chain security policies.
Management
How to Improve the Performance Appraisal Process
The federal practice of issuing uninformative mid-year reviews followed six months later by year-end appraisals is both painful and ineffective.
Nextgov
DOD’s Next Electronic Health System Rollout Will Be Different, Officials Say
After a poor showing in the first deployment of the MHS GENESIS electronic health records system, officials have retuned the training system and ensured better infrastructure is in place for the next rollout.
Management
The Department of Education Wants to Stop 'Student Aid Fraud Scheme' Where Parents Give Up Custody Through Dubious Guardianships
One day after our reporting, the department’s inspector general said it wants to close financial aid loopholes.
Management
Analysis: Can Anyone Stop Trump’s Border Wall?
The Supreme Court temporarily allowed the administration to begin construction. That doesn’t mean victory for the president is certain.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Bernie Sanders Is Here To Yell At You About Health Care
The Vermont Senator took center stage at Tuesday night's debate and lauded his plan.
Defense
Hyten Poised For Confirmation Despite Sexual Assault Claims
His accuser, who took a front-row seat at his confirmation hearing, says the Air Force four-star is lying to Congress.
Management
White House Sees Path for Less Interference in Implementing Its Government Reorganization
Administration officials are pleased with progress so far, though most efforts are not yet implemented.
Route Fifty
A City With a Booming Real Estate Market Sees a Slip in Home Prices
Meanwhile, new research suggests people in high-cost metro areas are searching for more affordable places to live.
Nextgov
CMS, USDS Pilot Unlocks Patient Data to Boost Provider Care
The project allows health care professionals to see claims information for past treatments instead of relying on patients’ memories.
Route Fifty
What Business Leaders Want Changed in the New NAFTA
The Senate Finance Committee heard from business people across the country Tuesday who support passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but would like stronger enforcement mechanisms.
Nextgov
CISA: Small Planes Vulnerable to Flight Data Manipulation
Pilots would be unable to tell the difference between the real and fake readings, “which could result in loss of control of the affected aircraft,” CISA officials warned.
Management
USDA Employees Who Didn’t Already Opt to Move to Kansas City May Be Out of Luck
Department officials say July 15 was the hard and fast deadline to accept reassignments, despite previously indicating there was wiggle room until September.
Management
How Not to Run a Panel
Panel discussions can be very boring, but they don’t have to be if you follow these six rules.
Management
Shutdown Had Deep Financial and Mental Health Impact on IRS Workers, Study Finds
Researchers are examining the impact of the 35-day shutdown on a Utah community with a high concentration of federal employees.
Management
Republican Lawmaker Seeks to Outlaw Official Time for Union Representational Work
Bill would end the longstanding practice by which union officials can do representational work during duty hours, although chances of it becoming law are low.
Nextgov