Oversight
VA veterans crisis line to face new investigation by GAO
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., says several whistleblowers have told him and his staff that veterans crisis line “responders are currently transferring veterans determined to present complex needs to an indefinite waiting list for eventual contact from a special unit.”
Management
Labor Department calls on states to reevaluate unemployment benefit accessibility
Access to unemployment has been declining and differs drastically across demographic groups. The Labor Department is urging states and territories to do something about it in new guidance.
Defense
Tuberville's blockade of military nominees could be evaded after move by Senate panel
The Republican senator has been objecting to the time-saving unanimous consent process since the spring to display his opposition to a policy that grants members of the armed services time off and travel reimbursement when seeking an abortion in states where it remains unrestricted.
Pay & Benefits
Flexible Spending Account contribution limits to increase in 2024
FSAs can be an essential way to save money on health care costs.
Management
House passes two-tiered stopgap bill days before shutdown
The novel approach to avert a funding lapse now heads to the Senate.
Management
VA officials reassigned following a House Committee's investigation into harassment allegations
Members of the office tasked with investigating harassment claims have been transferred following an investigation by the House Veterans Affairs Committee into sexual misconduct claims within that office.
Pay & Benefits
The federal pay gap spiked again in 2023
Members of an advisory panel that examines federal employee compensation issues on Tuesday recommended advocating new tactics to combat the federal-private sector pay disparity as well as pay compression.
Management
USPS loses $6.5B in FY2023 and says another year in the red is coming
The losses come despite postal management initially projecting it would break even for the year.
Management
Customer satisfaction with the federal government jumps, again
Citizen satisfaction increased almost 3% in 2023, according to the latest data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index.
Oversight
What are agencies doing with AI? A bipartisan Senate duo wants to know
Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, sent letters to three federal agencies probing into their use of artificial intelligence systems.
Management
Labor Department to use the Technology Modernization Fund to build a retirement ‘lost and found’
The registry will enable people to search for private employment retirement, group health and other welfare benefit plans that still owe them benefits.
Management
House punts effort to impeach Biden cabinet secretary
Some Republicans joined Democrats to postpone the exceedingly rare effort.
Workforce
‘I want to work myself out of a job’: How two FLRA officials are responsible for resolving hundreds of labor-management disputes
The Federal Labor Relations Authority’s Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution Office makes a big impact, despite a tiny organizational chart.
Pay & Benefits
Veterans’ health care coverage expanded by the Biden administration
The VA will create new programs meant to make care more accessible.
Management
IRS taps new CIO
The current acting CIO of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Rajiv Uppal, has been selected to take the top tech post post at the IRS — the latest in a series of leadership changes in the CIO shop at the tax agency in recent months.
Pay & Benefits
An Open Season checklist for active federal employees
Tips for saving money on health care and to help guide you through the process of choosing a plan in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Workforce
OPM issues guidelines on military spouse executive order
Telework, leave policies and “compassionate transfers” between agencies should all be utilized to recruit and retain spouses of members of the military and reserve services, officials said.
Management
House GOP floats telework restrictions, drastic spending cuts as Congress weighs options to avert shutdown
House and Senate have diverging plans to temporarily keep agencies afloat as Republicans propose budget rescissions and civilian job reductions.
Workforce
Honoring our heroes and a call to serve at the VA
COMMENTARY | The Veterans Affairs Department offers an unparalleled opportunity for doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals to give back to those who have already given so much.
Management