Oversight
In Preview of Debt Limit Fight, House Republicans Target Climate Funds
A House Environment subcommittee voted to claw back $27 billion from President Biden’s climate law, signaling what the GOP may demand in future budget negotiations.
Pay & Benefits
Bill to Boost Federal Firefighters’ Retirement Benefits is Back
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s legislation would include mandatory overtime hours in calculations to determine federal firefighters’ pension benefits.
Oversight
Lawmakers Want Watchdogs to Look Into Their Agencies’ Ethics Policies on Stock Ownership
This follows an investigation by The Wall Street Journal that found thousands of federal officials owned and traded stocks of companies that were affected directly by their agencies’ activity.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Back FAA Nominee, Despite GOP Objections at Confirmation Hearing
Committee’s confirmation hearing for Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport, came more than seven months after Biden first nominated him
Management
Archivist Nominee Pledges to Address a Backlog That Stands in the Way of Veterans Getting Benefits
“Of utmost importance to me” is reducing the pandemic-induced pileup of records requests, Colleen Shogan told lawmakers in her second nomination hearing.
Workforce
Feds Would Face New Hatch Act Restrictions on Their Interactions With Private Companies Under a Committee-Backed Bill
Republicans say the measure would prevent government censorship, despite testimony that social media companies acted without federal coercion.
Workforce
Cutting Civilian Defense Jobs Won't Eliminate the Real Waste at the Pentagon, Union Says
If lawmakers want to find savings at the Pentagon, they should start with underperforming weapons systems and service contracts, AFGE officials said.
Workforce
Agencies Would Have to Think Harder Before Relocating, Under a New Bill
The legislation comes after a watchdog agency concluded hastily conducted relocations during the Trump administration caused staff exoduses and harmed agencies’ service delivery.
Workforce
Here's How Career Feds Can Avoid Getting Tripped Up by Congressional Investigations
Experts offer tips for civil servants to prevent themselves from becoming collateral damage in battles between the legislative and executive branches.
Oversight
A Top House Republican Accuses the Labor Department of Avoiding Oversight
The department “consistently makes a good faith effort to be responsive to their questions,” said a Labor Department spokesperson.
Oversight
U.S. Likely to Default on Debt between July and September unless Congress Acts, CBO Says
Congressional Budget Office cautioned that the window is uncertain, since amount of money flowing into federal government from taxes, other revenue fluctuates
Management
Everyone Wants the New FBI Headquarters, But Who Gets It Remains Undecided
On Wednesday, a Virginia delegation explained why their state should be chosen for the new location, and got opposition from lawmakers advocating for Maryland to win the long-running fight.
Management
Inflation, Workforce Issues Challenge Defense Contractors Amid Security Pivot
The defense industrial base is facing workforce and inflationary headwinds just as the U.S. is refocusing its strategic lens on competition with China and Russia.
Oversight
New U.S. House Weaponization Panel to Probe FBI, IRS, ATF
Chairman Jim Johnson called on whistleblowers from throughout federal government to come forward to share information with committee
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Try Again to Standardize Cost of Living Raises for Federal Retirees
Federal employee groups have long decried the fact that retirees enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System receive lower annual annuity adjustments than their peers.
Pay & Benefits
A Bipartisan Proposal to Give Feds 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave Is Back
The bill would grant federal workers additional paid leave to deal with chronic health issues, a sick family member or in connection with a family member on active military duty.
Management
Biden Uses the State of the Union to Demand More Federal Resources and Less Legislative Brinkmanship
The president also calls for a dramatic uptick in federal watchdog spending.
Workforce
'I Do Not Have Enough Agents,' a Border Chief Tells Congress
At contentious hearing, all sides largely agree the southwest border needs more federal resources.
Oversight
Congressional Black Caucus Meets with Biden to Push for Police Accountability
Last year, at least 1,192 people were killed by law enforcement officers in the U.S., and 26% were Black people despite making up more than 13% of U.S. population
Oversight