Management
Senate committee wants details on VA’s harassment investigation
On the heels of a House panel voting to subpoena the Veterans Affairs Department as part of its own investigation, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee wants more information about how officials are examining sexual harassment allegations.
Management
Intelligence agencies need to make SCIFs more accessible for employees with disabilities, GAO says
The watchdog examined the facilities agencies use for processing classified information, finding that some barriers that prohibit access remain.
Pay & Benefits
A new rule allows the VA to adjust disability compensation to prevent overpayments
The rule, set to go into effect on Jan. 11, would allow the department to suspend or pause disability compensation for Defense Department servicemembers also receiving active service pay.
Management
How successful are President’s Management Agendas?
The White House touted the recent gains it made in workforce and customer experience goals in the latest update to the governmentwide management plan, but the tangible effects of PMAs often tend to be more gradual.
Workforce
5 places where the White House prioritized 2023 hiring
To meet the increasing demand for government services and operational needs, the Biden administration targeted hiring surges at several agencies in 2023.
Oversight
Senate committee wants VA to ensure providers work to prevent opioid abuse
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and other Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling for action after audits found oversight lapses in opioid prescriptions from non-agency providers.
Oversight
House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.
Management
GSA, FBI still at odds over headquarters selection, while House subcommittee smells ‘a rat’
Officials from the two agencies continued airing their dissenting positions over the Greenbelt site selection of the new FBI headquarters Tuesday, while subcommittee Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., found the site’s connection to WMATA incredulous.
Pay & Benefits
5 highlights of the 2024 Open Season
Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program may be over, but it was still filled with new additions and best practices for federal employees and beneficiaries to keep an eye on. Here are some of the highlights.
Management
New bill seeks to codify Trump-era regulation cut rule
Rep. Mike Gallagher’s (R-Wisc.) legislation aims to make permanent the Trump executive order that sought to repeal two regulations for each one introduced.
Management
House Oversight members take aim at former GSA official in request for FBI headquarters investigation
Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and member Gerry Connolly, D-Va., called on the General Services Administration’s acting inspector general to investigate potential political influence in the agency’s decision to select Greenbelt, Md., for the FBI’s main office.
Management
USPS paid for unused air mail transport due to incorrect forecasts, OIG says
The Postal Service didn’t accurately plan the weight capacity of its operations with one air transport supplier, according to a new report, often paying shipping costs for unused capacity on flights.
Management
Officials hopeful new executive order will help lagging security implementation at federal facilities
Leaders from the Federal Protective Service and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency applaud a recent White House directive around federal facility security, but also support additional measures to help implement recommendations.
Management
White House updates interagency group tasked with protecting federal facilities
The Biden administration issued an executive order Monday updating the committee tasked with establishing security policies for installations across the federal government, now including best practices for a mobile workforce.
Management
Stefanik calls for fraud officer to protect veterans from scam in new bill
The New York congresswoman partnered with House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., to sponsor new legislation that would create an officer to help warn veterans about potential scam and identity theft schemes.
Management
Porter reintroduces a bill that would form a natural disaster safety board
The California congresswoman redrafted a bill with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to establish an agency to help investigate and mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the U.S.
Management
Federal buildings’ deferred maintenance costs are soaring, GAO says, here’s how agencies can help
The cost of delayed repairs to federal facilities swelled 58% between fiscal 2017 and 2022, and the watchdog said that agencies can be doing more to inform about the backlog.
Management
VA officials reassigned following a House Committee's investigation into harassment allegations
Members of the office tasked with investigating harassment claims have been transferred following an investigation by the House Veterans Affairs Committee into sexual misconduct claims within that office.
Management
How Greenbelt won the FBI’s new headquarters
The agency’s pick for its new headquarters won out over sites in Virginia and Maryland despite being the smallest buildable offering. The choice has sparked some controversy.
Management