Tech

Senate bill mandating agency chief AI officers gets House companion

The proposal would codify several aspects of AI guidance released by the Office of Management and Budget in guidance this spring.

Oversight

Divide and conquer improper payments

COMMENTARY| Fraud prevention and detection require a different level of focus, argues one former federal CFO.

Workforce

Burnout among government workers is decreasing but still high, according to new pulse survey data

Leader of the consulting firm that sponsored the poll says the burnout rate could cause public employees to leave their jobs.

Management

In spending bill, House Republicans are ‘deeply concerned’ with DeJoy’s USPS reform plans

While typically sympathetic to the postmaster general, Republicans are suggesting he chart a different course.

Pay & Benefits

Feds are still slated for a 2% average pay raise in 2025 per House appropriations bill

The House Appropriations Committee advanced legislation Thursday that failed to override President Biden’s 2025 pay plan.

Tech

What it will take to make Direct File permanent

The IRS will have to grapple with expanding access and capabilities — while also convincing skeptical lawmakers to maintain funding.

Workforce

Republicans block expanded in vitro fertilization coverage for feds in House and Senate

Senate Democrats failed to secure the 60 votes needed to bypass a GOP filibuster, while House Democrats saw a similar provision defanged in appropriations talks.

Oversight

DHS needs to improve how it collects employee hiring and vetting data, GAO reports

The watchdog’s analysis found that the department did not meet its average hiring time targets in fiscal 2022 for nine out of 13 priority positions.

Workforce

Republicans look to 'dismantle' DEI efforts at federal agencies

New bill would strike down President Biden's diversity efforts and create strict rules preventing such initiatives.

Management

Feds invest $60M to boost local climate resilience and workforce development

The Climate-Ready Workforce initiative looks to place individuals in good-paying jobs that help advance coastal communities’ climate resilience.

Oversight

Coast Guard's handling of misconduct allegations draws increased scrutiny from Congress

Congressional inquiries were spurred by a media report that the Coast Guard kept hidden a multi-year investigation into sexual assault at its service academy.

Pay & Benefits

FBI agents say they need more money to stay in the bureau

Agents in high-cost cities say they cannot support their elevated expenses on their current salaries.

Tech

Senators look to mitigate risks in AI procurement

Sens. Gary Peters and Thom Tilis introduced new legislation that would codify safety measures in government contracts for artificial intelligence products and services.

Workforce

Lawmakers unveil a new plan to revamp federal wildfire prevention and mitigation

The Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act would create a new Middle Fire Leaders Academy to rapidly bolster the ranks of federal wildland firefighters.

Workforce

Put the telework debate to rest by focusing on productivity

COMMENTARY | Civil servants say telework improves productivity, but Congress wants data to prove it. Here’s one way OMB can reconcile the differences.

News

Schedule F looms over trust in government summit

New survey data from the Partnership for Public Service shows there is strong bipartisan support among the public for a nonpartisan civil service.

Management

Bird Flu tests are hard to get. So how will we know when to sound the pandemic alarm?

If the government doesn’t prepare to ramp up H5N1 bird flu testing, researchers warn, the United States could be caught off guard again by a pandemic.

Oversight

IRS is reducing its physical footprint but needs a better long-term plan, its IG says

The IRS has reduced its office space by 2 million square feet since fiscal 2018, but the watchdog said it could save millions in real estate costs with additional steps.