Management
With Just Weeks Until Potential Furloughs, Biden and McCarthy Hold 'Productive' Debt Talks
White House and congressional leaders conceded they remain significantly divided on key issues.
Workforce
Anti-Telework Bill Makes Its Way to the Senate
The SHOW UP Act, which narrowly passed the House in February, requires federal agencies to revert to their telework policies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oversight
Republicans Remind the White House They Still Want to Know More About Biden’s Labor Policies for Contractors
President Biden issued an executive order last year requiring project labor agreements for federal construction work.
Tech
Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies
The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.
Oversight
Republicans' Unemployment Fraud Bill Passes House, Gets Senate Version
The bill’s passage in the House fell one day after the indictment of one of its cosponsors – Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. – for unemployment fraud.
Oversight
A Debt Ceiling Breach Could Mean the Federal Government Decides Not to 'Pay Any Government Employees This Week'
Economist Patrick Gourley joins the podcast to discuss the potential debt ceiling consequences.
Oversight
A Brief History of Debt Ceiling Crises and the Political Chaos They’ve Unleashed
There are political as well as economic risks to debt standoffs in Congress.
Workforce
Feds Could Be Fired at Any Time for Any Reason, Under a Bill That Was Just Reintroduced
The bill also would abolish the Merit Systems Protection Board and threatens to reduce former federal employees’ retirement benefits if they file “frivolous” appeals of adverse personnel actions.
Management
Biden's Archivist Nominee is Confirmed
Colleen Shogan will now lead the National Archives and Records Administration.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Dems Reintroduce Bill to Revamp Federal Firefighter Pay and Benefits
The Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act would ensure federal wildland firefighters make at least $20 per hour, among other things.
Management
Bipartisan Group Looks to Fix ‘Hopelessly Obsolete’ Classification System
Legislation is aimed at reducing over-classification and improving the handling of secrets.
Management
Debt Ceiling Meeting Yields Little Progress, Though Biden and GOP Agree to Spending Talks
The House speaker has given the White House a two-week deadline to come up with a spending plan that would satiate his caucus and allow for a debt limit increase.
Oversight
House Republicans Have Questions About the White House’s Regulatory Update
A staff-level briefing for the House Oversight and Accountability Committee is in the works.
Oversight
Bipartisan Group Projects U.S. Default as Soon as Early June, Citing ‘Quite Low’ Cash Flows
Depending on how long a default lasted, a global recession could be triggered, new analysis finds
Oversight
U.S. Default Could Begin June 8 without Agreement, Top Economist Tells Congress
Congress has eight working days with both chambers in session before Memorial Day, and negotiations appear non-existent.
Defense
Where’d the Money Go? Lawmakers Press Air Force on Planned Radar Plane
Congress approved $200 million last year to get the first E-7s faster. That’s not happening.
Oversight
Asylum Limits, More Border Security Funds Proposed in House GOP Immigration Bill
A spike in the number of migrants seeking asylum in the United States has challenged local, state and federal authorities.
Management
Debt Ceiling Breach Could Occur as Soon as June 1, Treasury Warns
While they had hoped for more time, lawmakers have just a few weeks to avoid a catastrophic default.
Management
Federal Agency Expertise Faces a Challenge at the Supreme Court
The Chevron Deference, established in 1984, says courts should defer to federal agencies’ interpretation of an ambiguous or unclear statute that they administer.
Oversight