Defense
Biden picks Gen. David Allvin to be the next Air Force top officer
The general is the service’s vice chief of staff.
Oversight
‘We should not fear a government shutdown’: Far-right House members slam spending bills
Freedom Caucus members are urging more support from Speaker McCarthy and GOP leaders.
Oversight
Preparation for pandemics and natural disasters updated in bill passed by Senate panel
Legislation would increase accountability, transparency in how federal government helps state, local governments prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
Management
The Senate is on a bipartisan glidepath toward avoiding a shutdown, Schumer says
The way forward is still complicated by the House, which is pushing partisan spending bills along party lines.
Pay & Benefits
A Senate panel has advanced legislation to avert wildland firefighter ‘pay cliff’
Meanwhile, the Office of Personnel Management has released a draft set of qualifications for its upcoming new job series for wildland fire management.
Workforce
Proposed funding cuts could prevent IRS, Justice and other agencies from meeting their missions, employee groups say
Controversial plans to deeply slash spending at OPM, IRS and the Justice Department have drawn the ire of the federal employees who work at or rely on those agencies. They say the cuts would harm mission delivery.
Defense
Intel leaders, White House argue for keeping digital spy powers
Agencies have less than six months to convince a divided Congress to re-up an expiring warrantless surveillance authority.
Workforce
Sen. Kaine revives effort to ban Schedule F through the defense policy bill
This marks the second straight year that the Virginia Democrat has sought to attach a measure requiring congressional approval for new federal job classifications to the National Defense Authorization Act.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan wildland firefighter ‘pay cliff’ fix introduced in Senate
Without congressional action by September, the federal government’s wildland firefighters will see their paychecks shrink as temporary pay increases expire.
Management
House oversight panel votes to overturn Biden contracting policies and cut funding for unauthorized programs
Democrats object to measures targeting labor- and climate-friendly executive orders.
Workforce
House supports a 5.2% pay raise in its draft Defense policy bill, but slashes diversity initiatives
Committee leaders hope to end the National Defense Authorization Act's reputation as a Christmas tree for non-national security amendments.
Defense
Senator blocks Marine confirmation, leaving Corps with an acting commandant
Gen. David Berger relinquished his position hours before the motion, handing authorities over to Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.
Management
Democrats try again to reform the vacancies act
Democrats are trying once again to reform the parameters on acting federal officials.
Management
Almost but not quite: Acting commandant will face limitations in role
Gen. Eric Smith will have to juggle the Marine Corps’ top two positions when Gen. David Berger retires.
Oversight
The congressional COVID-19 oversight commission is about to sunset
Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., is the lone member left on the panel.
Management
The Supreme Court tosses case over Trump hotel documents
The House Democrats who brought the case years ago moved to dismiss the case earlier this month.
Pay & Benefits
Odds for a 5.2% pay raise for feds in 2024 improve with release of the Senate defense policy bill
The Senate version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act includes an average 5.2% pay raise for both military service members and civilian Pentagon employees.
Management
Senators try again to weed out past marijuana use as a disqualifier for intelligence jobs
The reform could happen through the fiscal 2024 Intelligence Authorization Act.
Management
Senate remains divided along party lines as it kicks off the fiscal 2024 funding process
Despite a budget deal and calls for bipartisanship, a fall shutdown remains possible amid disagreements on appropriations levels.
Defense