Tech

House panel probes China-linked email hacks

The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating how the State and Commerce departments responded to a cyberattack that successfully gained access to unclassified government email accounts of top-level officials.

Oversight

Fixing accountability first: Another look at the Restore VA Accountability Act

COMMENTARY | If we really want to rid the VA (and the rest of the federal civil service) of poor performers, we need to find a middle ground between making every employee “at will” and defaulting to today’s status quo. 

Oversight

House GOP demands info on Biden’s implementation of vaccine mandate for feds

A subcommittee is probing several agencies to look for "wrongdoing by government officials" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workforce

Cannabis users could become feds under bipartisan House bill

The legislation also would allow federal job applicants who were previously denied positions or security clearances over marijuana usage dating back to 2008 to have those decisions reviewed under the newly proposed policy.

Pay & Benefits

Some of the biggest regrets of retiring federal employees

COMMENTARY | As they face the realities of life, retirement, and getting older, some federal employees have shared a few regrets with financial planner Dallen Haws.

Management

USPS faces bipartisan pushback as it ramps up consolidation efforts

While lawmakers and employees ask the postmaster general to rethink his network changes, the Postal Service is accelerating the reforms.

Workforce

House Republicans question the SEC’s hiring and pay practices

The chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee wants to know more about the agency’s use of a program designed to bring on skilled hires for short-term rotations.

Oversight

White House takes a crack at much-needed permitting reform

A new rule is the latest push by the Biden administration to address regulatory obstacles to developing clean energy.

Pay & Benefits

Most TSP funds continued their upward trend in July

Only one of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program ended last month in the red.

Management

Responsible AI use in support of federal agency missions 

COMMENTARY︱The potential benefits of artificial intelligence for federal agencies are not a new conversation, but how to implement the technology so officials can achieve the gains they are looking for is worth taking time with.

Defense

Biden to reverse Trump decision to move Space Command to Alabama

The decision to keep the command at its current home in Colorado will surely enrage Alabama politicians.

Pay & Benefits

A basic flaw in the federal pay system

COMMENTARY | The system wasn’t designed to be competitive with the private sector, and that’s a problem in today’s job market.

Oversight

Is Congress on a witch hunt? 5 ways to judge whether oversight hearings are legitimate or politicized

Both Democrats and Republicans have consistently maintained that holding institutions accountable via rigorous oversight is among the most important functions of the legislature, but investigative work can be influenced by partisan considerations.

Workforce

What the United States can learn from Australia’s recent catastrophic failure to listen to career government experts

COMMENTARY | A hastily launched 2016 program to reduce overpayment of government benefits was plagued by “unfairness, probable illegality and cruelty,” an Australian commission later found.