Defense

Pentagon will cough up summaries of 3 years of safety investigations, per NDAA

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., pushed for the disclosure amid rise in military aviation mishaps.

Exclusive Oversight

USCIS’ arbitrarily strict FOIA policy is keeping some migrants from receiving their immigration records, whistleblower alleges

In a protected disclosure to Congress, an agency employee claims that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since 2024 has been finding ways to reject Freedom of Information Act requests from migrants in order to make it seem like the agency is complying with a court order.

Defense

Trump rebrands troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus checks

More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now, it’s being used for $1,776 checks.

Workforce

House passes bill nullifying Trump’s anti-union EOs

Twenty Republicans crossed party lines to support legislation to unwind what opponents described as the largest act of “union busting” in U.S. history.

Management

Bipartisan, bicameral bill looks to help the government hire more AI talent

The proposal follows the exodus of hundreds of thousands government employees — including AI and tech talent — under the Trump administration’s push to shrink the government workforce.

Management

Lawmakers seek details behind SSA plan to slash office visits

Nextgov/FCW first reported the agency’s intention to reduce field office visits last week.

Defense

Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision

The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.

Workforce

House strips its own provision protecting Defense civilians’ union rights from NDAA

A source familiar with congressional negotiations said that the bipartisan language effectively nullifying President Trump’s anti-union executive orders as they pertain to the Pentagon was dropped due to lack of support in the Senate.

Management

Trump signs law requiring the IRS to clean up adjustment notices

Lawmakers hope that clearer notices when the IRS makes simple math or clerical fixes on tax returns should cut down on headaches for taxpayers.

Management

High tensions around law enforcement, ICE tactics on display in heated House hearing

Members of the House Homeland Security Committee clashed on party lines over issues of violence against law enforcement and tactics by federal immigration officers.

Management

Democrats argue Ingrassia should be removed from government following nomination withdrawal

While no longer the special counsel nominee, Paul Ingrassia is now a senior official at the General Services Administration.

Management

Trump’s Education Department transfers illegal, Senate Dems say

Four Democratic senators blasted an Education Department plan to move certain operations to other departments through interagency agreements as “outrageous,” and “illegal,” saying it circumvented appropriations law.

Workforce

House panel advances bills extending probationary periods to two years

Democrats decried the measure as a Trojan horse aimed at more easily screening new federal workers and job seekers on ideological grounds.

Updated Pay & Benefits

Marjorie Taylor Greene retirement launches speculation about congressional pensions

For former members of Congress, pension and health care benefits can depend on your tenure.

Oversight

Lawmakers call for probe of how firm tied to Kristi Noem got piece of $220M DHS ad contracts

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has come under fire after allegations that a Republican consulting firm with ties to her and department leadership had been awarded an ad campaign contract.

Defense

Trump: Telling troops to refuse illegal orders is 'seditious behavior'

"Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” six Democratic lawmakers said in a video. "TRAITORS!!!" Trump responded.

Management

Democrats try again to reestablish legal deference to agencies on regulations

The bicameral bill also seeks to limit the ability of businesses to influence the rulemaking process.

Tech

Lawmakers signal support for using AI to prevent veteran suicides in FY26 VA funding bill reports

“There is a significant need to improve early suicide indicators and detection using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness throughout veteran service delivery,” according to a House Appropriations panel report.

Workforce

Lawmakers force House vote on bill nullifying anti-union EOs

A pair of Republicans were the final signatures needed to on a bipartisan discharge petition in support of legislation that would strike President Trump’s pair of executive orders aimed at stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights.

Management

As health costs spike, a sour and divided Congress escapes one shutdown to face another

Few of the divides that fueled the 43-day shutdown have been resolved, and a fractured Congress is on the clock to find a budgetary solution.