Updated
Workforce
VA employees ordered to pay back bonuses over misconduct now have an appeal process
The rulemaking is the result of a 2017 law intended to make it easier to remove poor-performing VA employees, but the Biden administration previously decided not to use it after legal decisions blunted the law’s authorities.
Management
Outgoing VA chief meets with Trump's 'very serious' transition team to discuss budget shortfall, other issues
Secretary Denis McDonough shares concerns about staffing with Trump's VA team, which is making dozens of requests for information during transition period.
Management
Award-winning VA leaders show the impact that federal employees can have serving the public
The presidential rank awards recognize outstanding senior government executives.
Tech
VA plans to restart EHR rollouts in mid-2026, despite viability concerns
VA Secretary Denis McDonough previously told Congress that the department was looking to end its pause on new deployments of the Oracle Cerner software in fiscal year 2025.
Pay & Benefits
VA omnibus bill including community care and pay waiver updates heading to Biden’s desk
A compendium of bills packaged into the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act features veteran educational assistance funding, community care improvements, increased funding for veteran homelessness providers and more.
Management
House Republicans set the stage for expanding private care for veterans
President-elect Trump could once again seek to shift veterans away from VA for health care and the top Republican on the issue just laid out a blueprint for doing so.
Management
As Trump names VA pick, firing and privatization come back into the spotlight
Trump's choice is already highlighting some of the most controversial VA priorities from the president-elect's first term.
Tech
Veterans’ military skills can help them fill cyber vacancies, State official says
The White House’s national cybersecurity strategy said that greater veteran participation in the U.S. cyber workforce can help enhance critical digital defenses.
Updated
Management
10 congressional races for federal employees to watch
Many of the competitive House and Senate races involve lawmakers who oversee federal agency funding.
Management
VA breaks records for veterans served despite slowing hiring
VA is now seeking a budget boost to meet staffing needs and veterans demands for fiscal 2025.
Tech
VA’s head of AI sees his role as a ‘bridge’ to future use
Meet the Department of Veterans Affairs CAIO Charles Worthington. He envisions a future where AI components are built into standard technology and software.
Tech
VA is updating its AI suicide risk model to reach more women
The department is looking to add military sexual trauma and intimate partner violence as risk factors for suicide in its predictive model for identifying veterans at high risk of self-harm.
Management
Legislation calls for creation of an independent office to improve the VA
Rep. Rudy Yakym’s, R-Ind., National Veterans’ Advocate Act, would transform the department’s Office of Patient Advocacy into a standalone body similar to the IRS’ Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate.
Updated
Oversight
VA whistleblowers honored for uncovering mismanagement of veterans’ personal information
Despite receiving OSC’s Public Servant award, the whistleblowers disagreed with investigators’ conclusions that they could not substantiate all of their accusations regarding the department’s alleged inappropriate use of personally identifiable information.
Tech
Inside VA’s drive to offer rideshare services to vets
Since its launch in January 2022, the Veterans Health Administration’s rideshare program for veterans in need of medical-related transportation has provided more than 438,000 rides.
Pay & Benefits
VA proposes grant program offering vets legal services to help obtain benefits
The department’s goal is to assist former service members who were discharged under other than honorable conditions but could still be eligible for VA benefits.
Oversight
Amid hiring surge, two VA agencies face employee background check deficiencies
The inspector general warned that shortcomings in the agencies’ background check programs were letting in unvetted staff.
Tech
VA officials say they can finish the digital GI Bill platform without more delays, cost overruns
Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said the Department of Veterans Affairs is “batting zero” when it comes to finishing major IT modernization projects on time and within budget.
Tech
VA offers veterans nationwide access to emergency telehealth care
The department said the new tele-emergency care resource will allow veterans to connect with clinical triage nurses for timely medical evaluations.
Workforce