Workforce
Lawmaker Opinion on Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate Breaks Along Party Lines
As President Biden announced an executive order requiring all federal employees and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19, he accused some Republican officials of sabotaging efforts to end the pandemic.
Management
Executive Order Details Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors
Further guidance is to come by September 24.
Workforce
Biden Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations for All Feds
The executive order, removes exceptions that allowed federal workers and contractors to remain unvaccinated if they agreed to regular testing for COVID-19.
Defense
Marine Corps Commandant Wants Review of Afghanistan Evacuation
“While it's relatively fresh in our minds, we need the honest, open critique,” Gen. Berger says.
Management
Federal Union Calls for Biden to Keep San Diego Detention Center Open
The union and a lawmaker are questioning the applicability of President Biden’s executive order to not renew contracts with private prisons.
Defense
The War on Terror—in Afghanistan and Elsewhere—Is Far from Over, Biden Says
The president vowed to continue counterterrorism efforts.
Management
Pandemic Preparedness and Climate Change Are Among Federal Research Priorities For 2023
White House tells agencies to consider these and the other R&D priorities in developing their budget proposals.
Pay & Benefits
Biden Formalizes Plan for Average 2.7% Raise for Civilian Feds in 2022
The White House published an alternative pay plan for the federal workforce providing a 2.2% across the board raise along with an average increase of 0.5% to locality pay.
Defense
13 US Troops Killed, More Injured, in Terrorist Attack at Kabul Airport
10 Marines among the dead; they were securing one of the last gates open for Afghans, Americans to escape.
Defense
Not For the First Time, COVID Takes Back Seat to a More Pressing Crisis
The evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan depends on cramming people into closed spaces—during a global pandemic.
Defense
Afghanistan Airlift Ops Have Rescued 101,300 From Kabul
But numbers out each day are dropping as Taliban tighten grip on airport, security threats rise.
Management
Republicans Demand Answers on Ouster of Social Security Commissioner
GOP lawmakers call the firing of Andrew Saul “unlawful” and ask the comptroller general to outline how acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi’s powers may be constrained by the Vacancies Act.
Defense
Biden Holds to Aug. 31 Evacuation Deadline, But Orders Up ‘Contingency Plans’ for Afghanistan Pullout
Military, contracted planes have airlifted 87,900 people from Kabul as of Wednesday—but the Taliban is now clamping down on who can leave.
Exclusive
Defense
Kabul Evacuee With Potential ISIS Ties Detained at Qatar Base
Up to 100 evacuees have been flagged for further scrutiny during the more comprehensive screening they received at their first stop after Afghanistan.
Defense
US Helicopters Rescued 169 Americans Outside Airport; More Ops Could Follow
Biden “will mobilize every resource necessary” to save more, but U.S. has yet to test Taliban checkpoints. Meanwhile, fuel-strained air operations resume.
Pay & Benefits
What Still Needs to Happen for Feds to Get a Pay Raise Next Year
President Biden has until the end of this month to formally announce his plan to give federal workers an average 2.7% pay raise in 2022.
Defense
‘Cannot Ensure Safe Passage’: U.S. Tells Americans in Kabul to Get to Airport On Their Own
Biden says U.S. forces may have to stay past Aug. 31 to help evacuate stranded personnel.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Firefighters to See Pay Increase Next Week
The pay raise, intended to ensure firefighters receive at least $15 per hour, was promised by President Biden earlier this year and will be retroactive to June 30.
Defense
