Management

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Seeks Assurances IRS Will Keep Phone Lines Open

Report had said a temporary help line shutdown was one option under consideration to free resources to address a backlog of unprocessed and amended tax returns. 

Workforce

GovExec Daily: A New Factor in the Negotiations to Avert a Shutdown

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the latest news about the upcoming government funding deadline.

Defense

Senators Have More Than 900 Ideas To Fix America’s Security

The proposed amendments to the NDAA include ideas on Afghanistan, China and extremism in the ranks.

Management

Senate Makes Historic National Park Service Director Confirmation 

Charles Sams III is the first confirmed leader in four years and the first-ever Indigenous American to lead the agency.

Oversight

Congressional Republicans Attempt to Overturn OSHA Vaccine Rule 

“These resolutions each have a large number of cosponsors, suggesting that they are being used for signaling purposes despite very low odds of enactment,” said one observer. 

Defense

No Pentagon Wrong-Doing in Jan. 6 Reaction, Inspector General Finds

“DOD officials did not delay or obstruct” Guard troops who arrived at the U.S. Capitol hours after insurrectionists stormed it.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: Is Another CR on the Horizon?

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss spending bill negotiations in Congress.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Introduce Another Bill to Repeal Controversial Tax Rule Affecting Federal Retirees

Bipartisan legislation would replace a provision that reduces Social Security benefits for federal, state and local agency employees who spent time in the private sector with a new formula that accounts for their time outside of government, and provide rebates for current retirees.

Oversight

House Probes of Trump Hotel Continue Amid Report of Sale

After years of controversy the Trump Organization is reportedly selling the lease to its D.C. hotel. 

Oversight

Steve Bannon Indicted Over Jan. 6 Panel Snub, Pushing Key Question Over Presidential Power to the Courts

Donald Trump asked former aides not to testify before a committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. The Department of Justice has now charged one over that refusal.

Oversight

$1.2T Infrastructure Plan Offers Lucrative Target for Fraud

Research shows there are ways to fight fraud, but the bill contains very little language aimed at doing so.

Defense

‘Our Job Is Not Done’: How Women Veterans in Congress Continue to Help Afghan Refugees

These policymakers are pressing the Biden administration to protect Afghan refugees, specifically women and children.

Defense

Plan to Draft Women is Uniting Unlikely Political Allies

Anti-war activists and conservative hawks both want women to stay out of the Selective Service System.

Defense

Navy Secretary Seeks 3-5% Annual Budget Increases

“I think more members of Congress understand the real threat that China presents,” Del Toro said.

Oversight

House Republicans Demand More Information on Contractor Vaccine Mandate

Lawmakers also are seeking information on job losses and any impact on supply chains.

Oversight

Afghanistan Watchdog Doubles Down on Oversight Efforts

Upcoming reports will serve as “cautionary and instructive guides” for future operations, said the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction.

Oversight

Sen. Ted Cruz Delays Dozens of President Joe Biden’s Ambassador Nominations, Stoking Feud Over National Security

Cruz has single-handedly delayed dozens of key State Department nominees in retaliation for a Biden decision to drop U.S. opposition to a Russian pipeline to Germany.