Oversight

Disaster recovery projects stall nationwide as FEMA runs out of money

The agency has paused $2.8 billion in spending as it braces for a looming government shutdown.

Oversight

Social Security overpayments draw scrutiny and outrage from members of Congress

SSA recovered $4.7 billion of overpayments during the 2022 fiscal year but ended that year with $21.6 billion of overpayments still uncollected, according to a November 2022 report by department’s inspector general.

Management

Congress averts shutdown with a 45-day stopgap funding bill

Lawmakers passed a bipartisan measure just hours before a funding lapse was set to furlough hundreds of thousands of federal employees.

Defense

How the Pentagon’s big tech bets could suffer if the government shuts down

Anything that needs new money to start or scale could see delays—including the Air Force’s quest to develop robot wingmen.

Pay & Benefits

Federal payroll processor: Oct. 11 is deadline to avert feds’ getting incomplete paychecks

If Congress fails to restore funding to federal agencies, most federal workers will only receive a partial paycheck on Oct. 13.

Workforce

On shutdown eve, the Biden administration adjusts furlough plans at some agencies

Fewer government services will be available during a funding lapse than previously expected.

Management

HASC chair: Space Command's temporary office is insecure. Officials: untrue

After White House scuttles move to Alabama, Rep. Rogers vows to keep SPACECOM from building a permanent HQ in Colorado.

Management

Nearly all national park sites to close during government shutdown

The agency will bar access to most of the nation’s 425 parks, recreation areas, national historic sites and other units, according to a fact sheet from the Interior Department, which oversees the National Park Service.

Management

Ahead of shutdown, House and Senate Dems propose back pay for furloughed contractors

A similar effort to legislate back pay for contractors failed during the 2018-2019 shutdown.

Management

What happens to government devices during a shutdown?

Experts say government-issued devices like phones, computers and even email accounts face heightened security risks during a federal shutdown.

Management

Sen. Kaine eyes another measure to make shutdowns less frequent

The Modernizing the Federal Calendar Act would shift the federal government’s fiscal year to align with the traditional calendar year.

Management

Some federal agencies utilize 25% or less of their headquarters office space, GAO says

As federal employees continued use of telework remains contentious, the watchdog highlighted in a new report that age-old office space problems have become more pronounced. 

Management

How a looming government shutdown could hit national parks

Would-be visitors will likely see restrictions on park access, though the extent of those restrictions is still unclear.

Management

Senate inches closer toward stopgap passage, though a plan to avoid shutdown remains out of reach

Republicans in the Senate look to assuage House counterparts, but it may already be too late to avert federal employee furloughs in two days.

Management

Biden administration begins cautioning feds to prepare for a shutdown

Degree of organization varies across government as agencies note a funding lapse could still be avoided.

Management

FEMA is being sued for making flood insurance too expensive—and too cheap

The price isn't right, according to two lawsuits against the federal agency. The suits, one of which was brought by Louisiana and Republican state AGs, claim that high insurance rates could put residents at risk of economic ruin, but low rates do little to stop developments on at-risk land.

Management

Democrats fear cyberattacks as government shutdown looms

Lawmakers are expressing concerns that the shutdown could radically hinder the work of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in responding to major ransomware incidents and other digital intrusions.