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.
Workforce
In partisan letter, Bisignano shifts blame on 1-800 call times, cites dated stats
Current and former Social Security officials said the commissioner at various points blamed his predecessor for problems that did not exist and took credit for Biden-era improvements.
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.
Management
What should we do with the ODNI? One plank owner’s thoughts
COMMENTARY | The Office of the Director of National Intelligence began as an effort to streamline intelligence-sharing in the wake of 9/11, but current reform efforts raise questions about its future role.
Workforce
FBI agents would get increased whistleblower protections under bipartisan bill
The measure’s sponsor, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has previously slammed the FBI over its enforcement of existing whistleblower protections.
Oversight
Democrat asks agency watchdogs to tally the cost of DOGE
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is estimating that the efficiency project has racked up around $21.7 billion.
Workforce
Senate panel advances bills to protect whistleblowers, fix CBP workers’ retirement benefits
More than 1,300 CBP officers spent more than a decade contributing toward their retirement annuities for which they were not eligible, due to a mistake the agency made in 2008.
Oversight
2 independent watchdogs quietly replaced by Trump
The former acting Education inspector general had accused administration officials of stonewalling an investigation, and the ex-acting Commerce IG was removed from that position for a second time.
Management
‘Bounce-back emails and no-replies’: IRS and Social Security workforce reductions are hurting constituent service, House Democrats argue
IRS has shrunk by 25%, mostly through voluntary separation incentives, while the Social Security Administration plans to shed 7,000 employees this fiscal year.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Senate bill would boost pay, alleviate grueling schedule for federal firefighters
New legislation would shorten federal firefighters’ work week from 72 hours to 60 and would ensure their overtime work is properly compensated via the Federal Employees Retirement System.
Workforce
Trump wants to reverse the staffing cuts he's overseen for IRS customer service. House Republicans disagree.
The Trump administration is warning of dire consequences if it cannot reverse the tax agency's recent staffing exodus.
Oversight
Whistleblower bill for contractors gains bipartisan support with Grassley’s backing
Supporters say the legislation would close “loopholes” in existing whistleblower protections for federal contractors.
Workforce
Lawmakers pursue parallel paths toward blocking Trump’s anti-union order
While House Democrats and unions are working over the August recess to secure signatures on a discharge petition to force the chamber to consider a bill overturning the president’s edict stripping two-thirds of federal employees of their collective bargaining rights, the House NDAA includes language blocking its implementation at the Pentagon.
Management
Former federal science leaders warn Trump proposals could cripple U.S. research
Experts decried potential rescissions of funding for science agencies as well as cuts to government researchers and grants.
Management
House sends bill to rescind billions for foreign aid and public media to the White House
Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought said there will likely be additional rescission packages.
Management
Senate clears amended bill to claw back billions in foreign aid and public media funding
The House is expected to take up the legislation on Thursday.
Management
Bill to rescind billions in government funding being amended by the Senate
Republicans in the House and Senate have until Friday to pass the recissions measure that targets foreign assistance and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Management
Congress is advancing FY26 spending bills, including some with dramatic staffing cuts
The House and Senate are taking far different approaches to next year's appropriations, but neither chamber has fully embraced Trump's budget proposals.
Management