Management
VA’s compliance with accessibility requirements still lacking, watchdog says
The Veterans Affairs Department “did not effectively manage website accessibility to ensure Section 508 compliance,” according to an audit conducted by the department’s Office of Inspector General.
Tech
Capturing AI’s potential needs a ‘two-way street’ between the feds and states, cities
A senior White House official said all levels of government need to work together on artificial intelligence to “move faster” to tackle big problems.
Workforce
Interior officials defend department’s approach to telework
After Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., accused the Interior Department of “abusing” telework, department leaders revealed that more than half of their workforce works in person every day, and those who do telework have experienced increased productivity, retention and employee engagement.
Tech
Senators call for Transportation to offer ‘accessible, mobile-friendly’ service animal form
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., called the paperwork that disabled Americans need to complete before traveling with their service animals “poorly designed and needlessly difficult to complete.”
Management
Senate bill would offer veterans with lost medical records a way to access disability benefits
Legislation from the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee chairman would provide veterans with other documentation methods for receiving benefits when their medical records are misplaced between the VA and Defense Department.
Pay & Benefits
What you need to know about the Social Security Earnings Test
When picking a date to start claiming your Social Security benefits, timing is everything.
Management
Congress averts shutdown, punts funding debate into March
Both the Senate and House approved a six-week stopgap on Thursday, just one day before a shutdown deadline.
Management
Senate panel advances watchdog, labor nominees
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported four nominees for adjudicative agencies recently hamstrung by vacancy-related case backlogs to the Senate floor for final consideration.
Management
Supreme Court appears ready to end deference to federal agency expertise
The conservative majority is skeptical of a longstanding precedent that gives agencies latitude in setting regulations, and legal experts say it will take "miracle" to save it.
Management
OPM and the Pentagon are among agencies adopting solar under a $104M clean energy plan
The Biden administration detailed new grant awards from an Energy Department program tasked with helping implement energy conservation technology at federal agencies.
Management
Can NIST get it all done?
The small technology agency has a big share of the responsibility for executing on the Biden administration's executive order on artificial intelligence.
Management
A thumbs-up for State's 3-year-old cyber bureau
The Government Accountability Office said the creation of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy in 2022 has “helped to better position State to achieve its cyber diplomacy goals.”
Pay & Benefits
Election years and the TSP
COMMENTARY | Investing during election years is an exercise in not letting your emotions drive your decisions, says one financial advisor.
Tech
CISA needs better collaboration with the EPA and water sector, watchdog says
CISA had “inconsistent collaboration” with relevant stakeholders due to a lack of formal mechanisms, according to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
Management
Biden’s chief diversity officer is headed to the private sector
Janice Underwood, who serves as the governmentwide chief diversity officer and as director of the Office of Personnel Management’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility office, will be vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion talent outreach and development at Disney.
Management
Senate advances another two-tiered stopgap spending bill
Facing a potential shutdown at the end of the week, Congress aims to push the deadlines into early March.
Workforce
White House looks to eliminate college degree requirements for cyber jobs with federal contractors
National Cyber Director Harry Coker also said Thursday that the federal government will be conducting a series of hiring sprints this year to fill seats.
Tech
House lawmakers join push for agencies to disclose public-impacting AI uses
A group of House members from both parties rolled out companion legislation to a Senate bill that would require agencies to notify individuals when they are engaging with AI tools.
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