Defense
What's at stake as Congress hashes out the 2024 defense budget
A guide to the biggest differences between proposals for the four-months-late defense appropriations bill.
Oversight
Agencies contend with new metrics, another missing hearing for IT acquisition reform
Cracks are showing in the usual, bipartisan buy-in for oversight on 2014 Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act progress.
Tech
National Cyber Strategy needs better implementation measures, GAO argues
The White House Office of the National Cyber Director can improve on performance measures and cost estimations, the U.S. federal oversight agency said in a Thursday analysis.
Workforce
Elon Musk and why you should never compare when it comes to security clearances
COMMENTARY | The government looks holistically at the benefits and risks to national security with each clearance granted.
Tech
Agencies must disconnect all exposed Ivanti products by Friday, cyber officials say
The directive follows a related warning issued last month about cybersecurity flaws in Ivanti systems.
Workforce
O’Malley reduces telework for Social Security HQ, regional office staff
The new commissioner outlined a plan to create “core collaboration days” for members of management, while most frontline workers are seemingly spared from the cuts.
Oversight
USPS’ feud with its regulator escalates yet again
The Postal Service is so far declining to turn over information related to its operational and workforce reforms, while accusing the watchdog of killing new business deals.
News
House passes bipartisan tax bill
The measure restores some of the popular expanded child tax credit, as well as a credit that helps states build affordable housing.
Pay & Benefits
Federal retirement savings plan opens 2024 with a mixed bag
Only two of the five core funds within the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings plan posted gains last month.
Management
Globetrotting Black nutritionist Flemmie P. Kittrell revolutionized early childhood education and illuminated ‘hidden hunger’
In 1947, the State Department sent Kittrell to Liberia to conduct a nutrition study. Her efforts supported an American commitment to strengthening diplomacy with countries around the world.
Workforce
How advanced and emerging technology can help VA save lives
COMMENTARY | Veterans remain at an elevated risk of suicide. Here’s how we can fix that.
Pay & Benefits
Biden administration to extend salary history ban to federal contractors
Officials said that new proposed regulations, released in conjunction with a final rule barring federal agencies from soliciting job applicants’ salary histories, will reduce pay disparities and improve the effectiveness of the federal contract workforce.
Exclusive
Workforce
VA budget shortfalls lead to pause of some health care hiring
One office pledged to “reduce FTEs through attrition.”
Oversight
The FTC is attacking drugmakers’ ‘patent thickets’
The agency says drugmakers illegitimately use the patents to prevent competitors from offering cheaper generic alternatives.
Pay & Benefits
Secret Service overtime pay locked in through 2028
The House passed legislation Monday to extend overtime pay authority for agents providing protective services through the next presidential election cycle after it was slated to lapse last month.
Workforce
Interior Department taps first-ever chief digital experience officer from OMB
Andy Lewandowski, who has been a digital experience advisor to the federal CIO for over two years, is starting a new gig at the Department of Interior.
Tech
Agencies are on track with AI executive order deadlines, White House says
At the 90-day mark since President Joe Biden’s sweeping artificial intelligence executive order, agencies have met mandated timelines, with some initiatives ahead of schedule.
Management
How a culture of unaccountability permeates the federal government
COMMENTARY | Accountability is essential for an organization to function effectively.
Management