Management
Officials say federal employee background check system overhaul is finally on the right track
The director of the agency primarily responsible for background checks of federal employees said the change in administration likely won’t affect modernization efforts.
Pay & Benefits
Biden signs windfall elimination provision repeal into law
The Social Security Fairness Act ends both the WEP and the government pension offset, increasing the Social Security checks for more than 2 million retired public servants.
Tech
HHS’ 2024 AI use case inventory shows move toward internal chatbots
The agency reported 271 AI use cases in 2024, which it said represented a 66% increase from its reported 2023 total.
Management
As Trump mulls his FEMA pick, a political land mine awaits in Florida
The president-elect's eventual nominee to lead the emergency management agency will be caught between Florida's disaster relief and FEMA's funding problems.
Tech
Here are the tech bills the 118th Congress passed right before the new session
Some proposed tech legislation didn’t make it into law.
Workforce
See where and how Biden grew the federal workforce
Trump slashed rolls at most agencies and is pledging to do so again after Biden boosted the civil service.
Updated
News
Johnson retains speakership, pledges to roll back 'totalitarian' administrative state
Some Republicans were concerned that a contested speaker election could delay implementation of Trump’s agenda.
Tech
Lawmakers request briefing from Treasury secretary on Chinese hack
The compromised third-party offering was a commercial remote services tool not listed in the marketplace for FedRAMP, the government’s cloud security compliance framework.
Pay & Benefits
Feds claims just 7% of available funds from OPM breach settlement, remainder returns to Treasury
Only a few thousand current federal workers, former employees and applicants cashed in from 2015 hack.
News
New Orleans attack prompts tighter security in D.C. ahead of inauguration, Carter funeral
The Secret Service has already designated Congress’ certification of the Electoral College, Carter’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9 and the inauguration as National Special Security Events.
Pay & Benefits
Thrift Savings Plan funds end the year on the downswing
Only one of the portfolios within the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished December in the black.
News
FBI confirms New Orleans attack was a terrorist incident
Counterterrorism officials said the assailant was “100% inspired by ISIS.” They have not linked the attack to a recent explosion in Las Vegas.
Updated
News
At least 15 dead, 35 injured in New Orleans in terror attack on crowded Bourbon Street
President Biden has vowed to provide all federal resources necessary to assist in the investigation.
Tech
Chinese-sponsored hackers accessed Treasury documents in ‘major incident’
The incident comes in the final days of the Biden presidency and as officials work to root out China-tied hackers from U.S. telecommunications systems.
Workforce
ODNI adds new colleges and universities to its school recruitment program
Recent intelligence community recruitment efforts have focused on STEM.
Management
Biden to close federal agencies Jan. 9 for Carter day of mourning
The White House unveiled an executive order Monday giving federal employees Jan. 9 off in recognition of the death of the 39th president.
Tech
VA plans to restart EHR rollouts in mid-2026, despite viability concerns
VA Secretary Denis McDonough previously told Congress that the department was looking to end its pause on new deployments of the Oracle Cerner software in fiscal year 2025.
Oversight
Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices
While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.
Breaking News
Management
Jimmy Carter, architect of the last major civil service reform, dies at 100
During his one-term presidency, Carter devoted considerable attention to federal management.
Transition