Defense

The U.S. Air Force Has Withheld $360M — and Counting — For Boeing’s Tanker Woes

That’s about one-fifth of the total bill for the 13 aircraft delivered so far.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Robert Mueller Needed Some Help During His Testimony

He misstated the president's name and needed some members of Congress to repeat their questions.

Route Fifty

Watchdog Warns Census 'Short on Time' While Using Untested New Methods

The 2020 Census will for the first time allow respondents to answer surveys online, but the Census Bureau hasn’t been able to test to ensure all new innovative methods will function correctly when deployed, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Workforce

Senator Says He Has Trump and McConnell's Support for Bill to End Shutdowns Permanently

Momentum grows for bipartisan bill to prevent lawmakers from leaving D.C. until they pass spending bills.

Pay & Benefits

The Pay Raise State of Play, and TSP Contribution Changes

A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.

Management

Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Improve Federal-State-Local Coordination

Bipartisan bill would create an updated version of a former intergovernmental commission.

Oversight

Government Ethics Chief Warns Trump Appointees That Agreements Are ‘Not Mere Aspirations’

Top ethics official notes that he can take steps to punish those who violate pacts to avoid conflicts.

Management

Senate Panel Advances Key Labor Authority Nominee

One week following Catherine Bird’s confirmation hearing, a key committee voted along party lines in favor of her nomination.

Nextgov

FBI Director Names China the Nation's Most ‘Severe Counterintelligence Threat’

Russia also shows no signs of stopping its election interference efforts ahead of 2020, Christopher Wray told lawmakers.

Management

Trump Administration Asks Court to Allow Agencies to Implement Workforce Orders Immediately

Government argues it would suffer “irreparable harm” if required to wait 45 days before an existing injunction against three controversial executive orders is lifted.

Management

Senate Panel Backs Bill Requiring Greater Transparency on Federal Spending

Goal is for taxpayers to have access to more information on where their money is going. 

Oversight

Bill Advances That Would Deny Bonuses to Feds Found to Have Engaged in Misconduct

Employees would be barred from bonuses for five years following adverse findings in an investigation.  

Nextgov

NASA May Bring a Laser-Based Internet to Space for Mars Missions

NASA will need to boost its comms to support human space travel.

Defense

Has Lockheed Replaced Boeing as Trump’s Favorite Defense Firm?

The U.S. president and Lockheed’s CEO have been cheering each other on, while Boeing's chief has kept a lower profile.

Defense

How AI Will Help Radar Detect Tiny Drones 3 Kilometers Away

Small drones are becoming a big problem. Here’s how next-generation neural networking techniques could help.

Management

Four Leadership Takeaways from Ash Carter

The former Defense secretary has important advice for both political and career executives.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Britain's New Prime Minister Seems Familiar

Boris Johnson and Donald Trump have some things in common.

Route Fifty

Marijuana Banking Legislation Gets Attention in U.S. Senate

Meanwhile, Democrats have introduced bills in both chambers of Congress that would decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.

Route Fifty

A Trump Administration Proposal to Cut Food Stamps Would Cost States

The proposal would cut 3.1 million people off of food stamps.

Nextgov

NSA Launches Cybersecurity Directorate

The group is charged with defending the country’s national security infrastructure and defense contractors against digital threats.