Management

Biden administration seeks more Social Security funding, election and transition provisions in possible CR

The Office of Management and Budget made the requests as part of the process by which the White House and Congress prepare for the potential need to pass a short-term continuing resolution in September.

Management

Transparency and urgency are needed to deter agency misconduct and protect federal workers

COMMENTARY | The head of the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that investigates allegations of government misconduct, has a proposal.

Management

GSA has a backlog of 36,000 open fire, safety and health risk conditions in federal buildings

After a complaint to GSA’s inspector general that the agency was violating employee health and safety regulations, auditors found a database of unresolved risk issues at federal buildings across the nation that dated back a decade. 

Management

Education Department outlines its testing period for a phased rollout of the new FAFSA form

After this year's federal student aid application encountered a series of glitches and errors the department will begin beta testing the 2025-2026 form with community-based organizations in October.

Management

SSI to move its core disability program application online

The initial rollout will be available to adults who have never married and are applying for Supplemental Security Income for the first time.

Management

Federal judge pauses a program that grants protections for undocumented spouses

A Homeland Security Department spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court. DHS is still allowed to collect applications, but not allowed to approve them.

Management

Both Harris and Trump are historically behind on presidential transition planning

GSA is beginning to provide office space and information technology support to the candidates, who have both just recently named the heads of their transition teams.

Management

ICE struggles to track unaccompanied minors, oversight report says

The agency lacks automated systems to chart the path of underage migrants through the immigration system.

Management

Social Security to finalize rules making expanded phone and video hearings permanent

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the agency quickly pivoted toward offering disability determination hearings by phone and video, options that remain popular today.

Management

FDA greenlights a new COVID vaccine after a summer of rising numbers of cases

While the death rate from COVID-19 steadily decreased during the first half of the year, it began ticking up slightly in June, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Management

VA should offer more support for Veterans Crisis Line personnel, watchdog says

VA’s Office of Inspector General found that the Veterans Crisis Line successfully prepared for the launch of the streamlined “988 then press 1” call option for those in crisis but strained supervisors’ ability to guide responders.

Management

GSA will update its property management regulations to reflect gender inclusive pronouns

The agency previously adopted similar updates to regulations governing federal travel earlier this year.

Management

EEOC averts the threat of a one-day furlough

Chair Charlotte Burrows said in a statement that the agency found enough savings to avoid furloughing employees on Aug. 30.

Management

Trump assassination attempt laid bare long-standing vulnerabilities in the Secret Service

A Spotlight PA, ProPublica and Butler Eagle investigation found the process for securing campaign events was susceptible to attack for years.

Management

VA hopes new antifraud tools will help veterans identify, report common scams

Veterans lost $350 million in scams targeting former service members in 2023, according to a government report.

Management

GSA awards contract for $524M CISA headquarters 

The agency will leverage its largest Inflation Reduction Act-funded project to date to help construct a 630,000-square-foot building for the cybersecurity agency at the St. Elizabeths West Campus. 

Management

Several House Democrats urge USPS to implement heat safety protections for workers

The Biden administration in July issued a proposed rule to protect employees working in extreme heat, but more than 70 members of Congress want the USPS to implement those protections before the rule goes into effect.

Management

Two lawsuits challenge the EPA’s regulation of ethylene oxide

As the regulatory fight over toxic sterilization facilities continues, the health of more than 14 million people may hang in the balance.

Management

SSA has a plan, but wants more funding to get it done

The 2024 agenda’s top priorities for the remainder of the year stem from over 5,000 recommendations from employees.