Leaders of federal employee unions said Wednesday that they would push Congress to unwind policies attacking their collective bargaining rights and a pay raise next year both in next week's lame duck session and next year when Democrats take control of the legislature.

Post-midterms, federal unions push for pay raise, restoration of bargaining rights

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Defense

A Democratic Congress could derail major Pentagon plans and put Hegseth under pressure

Funding fights, investigations and potential impeachment proceedings could reshape the Defense Department’s agenda, putting high-profile initiatives such as the Golden Fleet and Autonomous Warfare Command at risk.

Management

GSA names new acquisition chief after months with acting leader

Jennifer Hill, a former banking executive who joined the agency in February, will lead the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA also named a new head of its public buildings division.

Oversight

IRS workforce issues prominent among watchdog’s FY27 priorities 

Even after substantial workforce cuts last year, the IRS's headcount is “consistent with historical staffing” levels. But TIGTA finds these cuts “occurred rapidly and resulted in the departure of many experienced employees.” 

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Updated Management

Trump’s federal workforce overhaul faces a new Congress after Democratic wins

At least one federal employee who separated from the federal government since last year will serve in the House.

Oversight

OPM formally ends FEVS in favor of agency-specific surveys

Federal employees and good government groups warn the promulgation of smaller, shorter surveys means agencies will miss out on important information about the health of their organizations.

Workforce

‘Exit survey’ of former feds finds fears of civil service politicization under Trump — and many willing to return to their agencies

While the Office of Personnel Management has argued that most of the 2025 federal workforce separations were voluntary, academic researchers countered that many of the departing civil servants reported they felt forced into resigning.

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Management

USDA asks judge to lift employee relocation stay that ‘significantly hinders’ its operations

The Forest Service says a court's stay prevents it from filling “critical" positions to address wildfires and avalanches. USDA’s research division warns further delays could mean "discontinued employment” for staff. 

TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
NOV 04 CLOSE
$20.3611
$20.8647
$124.1394
$113.0857
$63.5477
DAILY CHANGE
0.0028
0.0877
1.9320
0.9755
1.0328
THIS MONTH (%)
0.06
0.27
1.44
1.31
1.27
FUND
L 2070
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
NOV 04 CLOSE
$14.4343
$24.3583
$46.4340
$75.1032
$63.4716
$31.1522
DAILY CHANGE
0.2134
0.3600
0.5810
0.8295
0.5191
0.1425
THIS MONTH (%)
1.35
1.35
1.14
1.01
0.76
0.44
FUND
NOV 04
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
G
$20.3611
0.0028
0.06
F
$20.8647
0.0877
0.27
C
$124.1394
1.9320
1.44
S
$113.0857
0.9755
1.31
I
$63.5477
1.0328
1.27

L 2070
$14.4343
0.2134
1.35
L 2060
$24.3583
0.3600
1.35
L 2050
$46.4340
0.5810
1.14
L 2040
$75.1032
0.8295
1.01
L 2030
$63.4716
0.5191
0.76
L INCOME
$31.1522
0.1425
0.44
Tech

Companies warn cyber threat sharing could suffer without new legal protections

A coalition of 35 industry groups is pressing Congress to extend liability safeguards for businesses that share cyberattack data with federal agencies, with the current stopgap set to expire next month.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP funds decline again in October

Just two of the core portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.

Oversight

Musk is the target of a new Democratic bill to curtail political donations from federal contractors

While government contracting companies are already barred from making campaign contributions, a new measure would extend that prohibition to the corporations’ leaders.

Tech

VA physicians’ and dentists’ association urges pause in new health record system rollouts

The group wants independent patient safety reviews and fixes at facilities already using Oracle Health before VA moves ahead with more deployments.

Tech

Trump’s AI chatbot conversations may have to be preserved as presidential records

Two top House Democrats are pressing for records of the president’s AI use, raising questions about how the administration documents its reliance on chatbots.

Updated Management

State Department seeks mid-career hires to join its ranks after widespread layoffs

The Lateral Entry Pilot Program marks State’s latest step to rebuild its workforce. Employees it laid off last year haven’t had much luck in the hiring process. 

Tech

Ex-government tech leaders pitch new vision for America.gov

The proposal goes beyond a single online portal, calling for changes to the underlying systems that determine eligibility and enroll people in federal and state benefit programs.

Workforce

The census shows what government does well — and what political interference could break, author argues

A university researcher who embedded in the Census Bureau ahead of the 2020 national headcount warns in a new book that President Donald Trump’s federal workforce reforms, paired with decades of “Jenga politics,” could put the next census at risk.

Management

OPM is ending a promotion rule, but agencies still have work to do

COMMENTARY | A former federal HR chief argues that managers need to pay closer attention to who gets the assignments and experience that make employees competitive for promotion.

Pay & Benefits

More Medicare questions? Here’s what federal retirees need to know

Got questions about HSA contributions, TRICARE For Life or keeping FEHB or PSHB when you enroll in Medicare? Here are answers to help you navigate the details of your federal health benefits.

Tech

DHS personnel leak exposes contact details and sensitive job information

A group calling itself the Department of Peace claimed responsibility for obtaining records on more than 41,000 employees and contractors, citing opposition to immigration enforcement.

Exclusive Management

USDA sends more relocation notices, seemingly in violation of court order 

A court-ordered stay prohibits USDA from issuing or enforcing "any other notice or directive of reassignment or relocation in whole or in part."