Defense

Public transit systems remain vulnerable to cyber threats

Despite repeated warnings, a report on Washington, D.C.’s transit authority finds it is still at risk of a cyberattack. Its issues aren’t unique, though, and experts warn that public transportation at-large is vulnerable unless leaders act.

Management

Congress needs ‘private sector buy-in’ to address cyber workforce shortage

Organizations are working to educate and train the next generation of professionals to fill critical cybersecurity vacancies, but private sector firms need to change their hiring practices to integrate this pool of talent into the workforce. 

Oversight

Democrats call YouTube ‘extremely irresponsible’ for election misinformation rollback

YouTube’s decision to stop removing false content about previous U.S. elections “threatens to weaken our democracy,” several top Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a letter to the platform’s leaders. 

Management

What’s it really like to be HHS secretary? Three who’ve done it spill the beans

The secretaries past and present discuss their shared understanding of what it means to lead the agency at a time when health is at the front of American minds—and in the crosshairs of American politics.

Workforce

A gender equity group still wants better protections for feds who need abortion care

One year after the Dobbs decision, President Biden signed a new executive order potentially expanding contraceptive access for federal workers, but a gender equity group at the Justice Department says more needs to be done.

Management

VA official expects Oracle Cerner to deliver on $10B EHR contract despite layoffs

While lawmakers and officials expect work to continue as planned, an insider warned that layoffs at Oracle Cerner targeted a clinical team that worked to implement new electronic health record systems.

Pay & Benefits

Draft spending bill cuts telework and bans transgender care for feds, but preserves 5.2% pay raise plan

A House subcommittee's fiscal 2024 spending bill does nothing to override the president’s planned average pay increase for federal workers next year, but it is riddled with policy riders.

Management

How a ‘small, but mighty’ agency is working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion 

The Farm Credit Administration wants its workforce to reflect the diverse borrowers that rely on the institutions it regulates. 

Management

Senate remains divided along party lines as it kicks off the fiscal 2024 funding process

Despite a budget deal and calls for bipartisanship, a fall shutdown remains possible amid disagreements on appropriations levels.

Defense

Republicans rehash vaccine mandate policies in defense authorization bill amendments

House Armed Services Committee markup adds legislation aimed at helping troops who refused the COVID-19 vaccine.

Workforce

Social Security’s staffing crisis is getting dire, union says

Agency management is doing “the bare minimum” to improve workplace conditions amid a daunting workload and morale that is among the worst in the federal government, union officials argue.

Management

A union is still pushing to permanently end the threat of delayed paychecks due to a debt default

The Biden administration will soon have to articulate its views on the constitutionality of the debt ceiling.

Management

Vacant White House cyber post draws concern amid global software breach

In the aftermath of a global cyberattack exposing personal data on millions of Americans, calls are growing for the White House to fill the top slot at the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Management

A new bipartisan bill looks to thwart financial conflicts of interest for top government officials

“The bipartisan HONEST Act will provide greater transparency and safeguard public interest by establishing clear guidelines that prioritize the American people,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y.

Pay & Benefits

The GOP wants to bring back pay for performance, but a leading expert says it’ll never work

Past pay-for-performance efforts have done “double duty as a kind of way to diminish the unions, go after the rank and file, and that was clear,” a researcher says.

Tech

There’s something DHS can do to help civilian agencies fight cyberattacks

The Homeland Security Department has the power to do a lot more than just issue words of warning.