Management

GOP bill aims to limit IRS’ use of AI

The legislation — cosponsored by Reps. Clay Higgins, R-La., and Eric Burlison, R- Mo. — could look to put new restrictions on the tax agency’s deployment of AI in its revenue enforcement efforts and require staff to launch new investigations. 

Workforce

D.C. lawmaker wants to restore due process to feds in ‘sensitive’ posts

A new bill would overrule a 2013 federal appellate court decision that denied roughly 200,000 federal employees access to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Workforce

VA to shed 10,000 employees at underutilized facilities in FY25

The department plans to use attrition only and focus on staff in supervisory and administrative roles.

Tech

IRS has some of the oldest tech in government — it’s trying to change that

Agency leadership views the “historic funding” provided under the Inflation Reduction Act as an opportunity to get out from under the list of needed tech improvements that have long plagued the IRS.

Management

Biden just signed the largest executive order focused on women’s health

From maternal health to menopause, federal agencies will study the health issues that emerge across a woman’s lifespan.

Workforce

More than 600K federal employees are facing furloughs this week

Congress and the White House are still negotiating over a funding plan as they face a partial shutdown deadline on Friday.

Workforce

OPM’s labor-management forum guidance charts new ground for union policies

Federal agencies will be expected to embrace the return of collaborative councils, where federal employee unions may weigh in on future workplace policies, and measure the forums’ impact on employee engagement, agency performance and cost savings.

Exclusive Oversight

House GOP launches investigation into DOJ's immigration judge 'gag order'

Top lawmakers say the Biden administration is inhibiting free speech and circumscribing congressional oversight.

Pay & Benefits

“It feels impossible to stay”: The U.S. needs wildland firefighters more than ever, but the federal government is losing them

Highly skilled firefighters are the last line of defense against wildfires, but that line is fraying because the government decided long ago that they’re not worth very much.

Management

Biden seeks more than $500M for customer experience in 2025 budget

New digital service teams and a focus on the "voice of the customer" are among the CX funding requests in the FY2025 budget request.

Tech

U.S. still finding victims of advanced China-linked hacking campaign, NSA official says

The Volt Typhoon hacking collective, backed by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, has been working to burrow into sensitive U.S. systems, officials previously said.

Oversight

Supreme Court clarifies when public officials can block citizens on social media

The Supreme Court unanimously found in a pair of cases that whether a government official can block a constituent on their personal social media account hinges on if a post is a state action or is private conduct.

Tech

Tech questions at the border

Critics say the Customs and Border Protection app CBP One is glitchy and unfair to migrants.

Management

Pentagon names new top official for digital and AI

Radha Plumb, currently deputy undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment, will replace Craig Martell as Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer on April 8.

Workforce

Applications for revenue-generating IRS jobs are ‘far below’ agency goals

The tax agency is facing major hurdles with its big ambitions for hiring to slash uncollected taxes.

Workforce

State selects 4 new Science Envoys

Four U.S. scientists and researchers will work in the State Department’s Science Envoy Program representing the country's scientific interests and advancing international partnerships.

Management

Federal managers play a key but forgotten role in job satisfaction

COMMENTARY | A recent GAO report examining employee engagement at TSA underscores the need for a people-centric approach in attracting and retaining talented workers.

Workforce

Lawmakers, employee groups call for a permanent increase in federal firefighter pay

Under current measures implemented by the Biden administration, federal wildland firefighters will face yet another “pay cliff” this fall.

Management

$3.3B in federal grants announced for communities split apart by highways

The one-time infusion of cash for highway caps, bike trails and other improvements shows the Biden administration’s priorities for one of its most high-profile infrastructure initiatives.