Management
Republicans want Treasury to study free tax filing options — again
The reconciliation text being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee includes $15 million for the IRS to study how to give Americans free ways to file their taxes that would replace both the Free File and Direct File programs.
Tech
Reconciliation text includes $500 million for modernization and AI at Commerce
The text also includes a prohibition on state-level enforcement of AI laws and regulations.
Management
IRS reverses staffing gains made under Biden
The tax agency has shed over 20,000 employees through the deferred resignation program, and more significant cuts are still expected.
Exclusive
Workforce
Thousands of layoffs to hit Interior, National Parks imminently
Employees fear diminished capacity after RIFs are tacked on to existing mass exodus.
Management
Some Republicans question Trump’s IRS budget cuts
The administration has proposed a $2.5 billion cut to the tax agency.
Tech
Here are the tech takeaways from Trump’s budget proposal
The White House has suggested sweeping reductions to many civilian agencies, though it promises to maintain investments in emerging technologies.
Workforce
IRS to lay off taxpayer experience, DEI staff
It is not clear what will happen next to projects being done by the Taxpayer Experience Office, like making IRS notices to taxpayers more simple.
Tech
SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees
The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.
Oversight
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
Tech
Trump builds on Biden efforts to modernize permitting technology
While many praised the effort as common-sense, workforce cuts across government, as well as the administration’s deregulatory efforts, have raised questions about implementation.
Management
Trump ‘anti-fraud’ memo could allow SSA to stop paying some Americans’ earned benefits
The document’s publication comes just days after reports that DOGE operatives overruled career workers to falsely label thousands of immigrants as dead.
Management
Trump orders major changes to rules covering $1T in federal spending
The Tuesday mandate — which aims to streamline the way government buys goods and services — was accompanied by a second order requiring agencies to predominantly use commercial products, rather than custom-built.
Tech
Top tech leaders to leave IRS
The departures happen even as the tax agency has made controversial decisions to share taxpayer data with the Department of Homeland Security and centralize that data to make it more accessible.
Tech
Deep cuts hit HHS tech offices
Current employees say that dramatic cuts to leadership and career staff within FDA and HHS have left critical projects at risk.
Management
GSA preps for layoffs at TTS
The coming reductions in force are the latest in a series of workforce cuts within the Technology Transformation Services.
Management
Interior fires senior leaders after fight over DOGE access to key payroll system
Several officials in the department’s CIO shop who were not fired are taking the latest deferred resignation offer, meaning that the office is nearly cleared out, with only two of nine leadership roles permanently filled.
Management
Democrats confront Social Security Administration about disruptions to constituent SSI accounts
This is the first oversight effort of Senate Democrats’ new Social Security War Room.
Management
SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements
A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.
Tech
Meet the former feds organizing against purported DOGE ‘destroyers’
We the Builders, a group of current and former federal employees, is trying to spread information and support feds under Trump 2.0.
Transition