Management
US rolls toward a 'terrible' government shutdown, no exit ramp in sight
As lawmakers dig in, federal employees face mounting uncertainty over pay, operations and the ripple effects of another prolonged funding lapse.
Management
House GOP unveils 7-week stopgap funding bill, Dems say it makes shutdown more likely
Congressional Democrats are not backing down from their funding bill demands even as Republicans move forward with a plan to avert a shutdown.
Workforce
Protestors denounce cuts to NASA’s staff, budget and union rights
Several speakers at the protest also urged Congress to pass a continuing resolution that prevents the Trump administration from impounding agency funding.
Updated
Oversight
HUD asked grantees to apply for soon-to-be-expired funding 3 separate times. Democrats want a watchdog review.
President Donald Trump recently replaced the acting head of the Housing and Urban Development Department’s inspector general office, which would look into the matter.
Management
Trump Education Department to divert grants from colleges serving students of color
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the department would withhold $350 million in minority-serving institution grants from 800 colleges and universities, saying the grants "discriminate by restricting eligibility to institutions that meet government-mandated racial quotas."
Management
Democrats rally behind hardball strategy to upcoming shutdown fight
House and Senate Democratic leaders say they are united in making policy demands as part of upcoming spending talks.
Oversight
Democrats want to know how the Forest Service is funding its deferred resignation program
The Forest Service chief told one Senate committee that the funding came from annual appropriations and another that the agency was dipping into money provided in two Biden-era laws.
Tech
Government pacing toward increased IT contract spending despite DOGE cuts
A new administration and new priorities haven’t slowed the federal government’s spend on IT.
Pay & Benefits
Legislation to end government shutdowns returns to Capitol Hill
Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, and Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., have brought back a bill aimed at ending the costly budget impasses, a proposal that’s historically had little success in Congress.
Updated
Management
Some funding frozen by Trump could soon expire due to new fiscal year, Democrats warn
Congress will need to reach a bipartisan consensus by Sept. 30 to avoid a government shutdown.
Management
Despite shutdown deadline, little movement in Congress on spending deal
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declined to say during a press conference whether he will negotiate a stopgap spending bill with Democrats, or use the go-at-it-alone approach that succeeded in March.
Management
Trump moves to unilaterally withhold funds, drawing bipartisan calls of illegality
The standoff increases the likelihood of a shutdown, Democrats say.
Management
Trump’s focus on excluding migrants from census is just one of several issues with preparations for 2030 count, experts say
Advocates criticized the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate census advisory boards and warned that government funding fights could snarl planning.
Management
Spending transparency data posted by Trump budget office after court order
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that the apportionment information must be “promptly made public.”
Management
New law aims to avoid repeat of recent scandals at Veterans Affairs
VA in 2024 paid millions in critical skill bonuses to senior executives and received nearly $3 billion in supplemental funding to address a budget shortfall that ultimately didn’t materialize.
Management
Judge orders White House budget office to reveal information about spending decisions
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit mandated that the Office of Management and Budget restore a website detailing federal spending timelines.
Defense
Pentagon asks to move $150M to speed up Air Force One by 2 years
The move is part of DOD’s $5.4 billion omnibus reprogramming request.
Management
After Senate moves bipartisan spending bills, Dem leaders request sit down on shutdown-aversion plan
The Senate is moving fiscal 2026 funding measures with ease but there is still no overall strategy in Congress.
Workforce
Deep staff cuts at a little-known federal agency pose trouble for droves of local health programs
The Health Resources and Services Administration has lost approximately a quarter of its staff between February and June, challenging its ability to provide grant funding to public health programs across the nation.
Workforce