Congress
Following impoundments threat, new bill wants senior execs to get appropriations training, or else
Legislation from Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, seeks to ensure that select members of the executive branch get annual training on the budget process or face a possible suspension of financial decision making for their agency.
All provisions targeting federal worker benefits, unions stricken from Senate reconciliation package
The Senate parliamentarian previously ruled that most of the proposals aimed at cutting federal employees’ retirement benefits and civil service protections violated a rule to ensure reconciliation bills are budgetary in nature.
Withholding agency funds at the end of the year under consideration, White House says
OMB Director Russ Vought tells lawmakers the administration has "numerous options" to achieve savings.
With DeJoy out, postal stakeholders push for pause in criticized Delivering for America overhaul plan
Former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who reportedly was pressured into resigning, launched a 10-year reform plan called Delivering for America that members of both parties slammed for slowing service without any financial benefits.
Lawmakers spar over DOGE as Republicans look to lock in cuts
Republicans again blocked an attempt to subpoena billionaire and former DOGE leader Elon Musk.
Democratic leaders slam Trump effort to transfer some Education grant programs to Labor Department
The interagency agreement between Education and Labor regarding the grant programs is paused due to an injunction that deals with reductions in force.
Trump watchdog nominees draw congressional scrutiny for political histories
Labor inspector general nominee and former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., praised President Donald Trump during his confirmation hearing, while Veterans Affairs IG nominee Cheryl Mason, who was a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins, said she wasn’t involved in any decisions at the department.
U.S. senators call for security funding boost after Minnesota assassination
Following shootings in Minnesota, senators called for more funding for the U.S. Capitol Police to provide member security.
Senate reconciliation bill would give Trump ‘carte blanche’ to reorganize agencies, lay off feds
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee authorizes a $100 million war chest for OMB to reorganize government without congressional oversight.
Senate strips most retirement cuts from reconciliation, but anti-civil service provisions remain
Under language released by a Senate panel Thursday night, new federal workers who decline to serve as at-will employees will pay nearly 15% of their paycheck toward their pension benefit.
House GOP clears measure to claw back billions from foreign assistance and public media programs
The Senate will take up this initial effort to codify some Department of Government Efficiency cuts after it finishes work on the budget reconciliation package.
Lawmakers rip into defense secretary over flat Pentagon budget
The Pentagon is counting on one-time funds from a reconciliation bill to fund investments in shipbuilding and missile defense.
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Air Force says Qatar jet retrofit will cost less than $400M
Other defense officials have estimated it could be over $1 billion.
Small Business Administration would have to relocate field offices from ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ under House-passed bill
The agency previously said it would move six of its regional offices from cities that have laws limiting their cooperation with federal immigration agents.
Education Department is stonewalling inspector general investigation into staff cuts, Democrats allege
The department’s inspector general informed congressional leaders that officials weren’t turning over requested information and are putting conditions on interviews with staff.
Oversight Dems: Commerce reneged on probationers’ health benefits
Some recently fired probationary workers have also been unable to access their personnel records to show to insurance companies and prospective employers.
DOGE reorganization of nuclear regulator prompts concerns about the agency’s continued focus on safety
President Donald Trump wants the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to lay off workers, while the agency has fallen short of its recruitment goals in recent years and struggled to replenish its aging workforce.
Democratic bills would rehire axed National Parks and Forest Service employees
Both agencies have already undergone workforce reductions with more layoffs still planned.
House passes reconciliation bill that cuts federal employee retirement benefits
Though Democrats were able to excise a plan to base federal retirees’ annuity payments on their highest five years of salary, rather than the current high-3, proposals to eliminate the FERS supplement and to charge employees for their civil service protections remain on the table.
Pentagon accepts Qatari jet to use as Air Force One
The Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify the luxury jet.
Gerry Connolly remembered for his passion and bipartisanship
The long-time representative from Northern Virginia has died at 75 following a battle with cancer. He is being remembered for his advocacy of federal workers and the contractor community as well as championing initiatives to improve how the government buys goods and services.
