Workforce

House supports a 5.2% pay raise in its draft Defense policy bill, but slashes diversity initiatives

Committee leaders hope to end the National Defense Authorization Act's reputation as a Christmas tree for non-national security amendments.

Defense

Senator blocks Marine confirmation, leaving Corps with an acting commandant

Gen. David Berger relinquished his position hours before the motion, handing authorities over to Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.

Management

Democrats try again to reform the vacancies act

Democrats are trying once again to reform the parameters on acting federal officials.

Management

Almost but not quite: Acting commandant will face limitations in role

Gen. Eric Smith will have to juggle the Marine Corps’ top two positions when Gen. David Berger retires.

Management

The Supreme Court tosses case over Trump hotel documents

The House Democrats who brought the case years ago moved to dismiss the case earlier this month.

Pay & Benefits

Odds for a 5.2% pay raise for feds in 2024 improve with release of the Senate defense policy bill

The Senate version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act includes an average 5.2% pay raise for both military service members and civilian Pentagon employees.

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.

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.

Oversight

Records agency to DHS: Look into your watchdog’s use of text messages 

This comes after a hearing two weeks ago that raised concerns among some lawmakers about how the IG uses and retains records of electronic messages. 

Defense

Republicans want to ax a Pentagon budget office that aims to save taxpayers money

GOP lawmakers say the CAPE office is ignoring their amphibious-warship directive, which DOD says arrived too late to shape the current budget.

Pay & Benefits

Conservatives: End Annual Across-the-Board Pay Raises for Feds and Cut Benefits

The Republican Study Committee’s fiscal 2024 budget proposal would favor targeted “merit-based” pay increases and drastically reduce federal employees’ retirement and health care benefits.

Management

New Report Identifies Over $100B in Potential Government Services Savings

The government’s overlapping, fragmented and duplicative services are costing billions of dollars annually, a Government Accountability Office report claims. 

Management

Congress Is Still Heading Toward a Shutdown Despite the Budget Deal, Democrats Say

House Republicans are voting on spending bills that would cut funding below the frozen levels lawmakers agreed to as part of the debt ceiling negotiations.

Management

A Bill to Hamstring Agency Rulemaking Passed the House Despite Veto Threat

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act would require all new major regulations by federal agencies to first be approved by both the House and Senate.

Management

Agencies Brace for a Renewed Era of Belt-Tightening

Most non-defense agencies will see their budgets frozen or cut next fiscal year.