Pay & Benefits

Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Feds’ Paid Parental Leave to Military Troops

Legislation would provide service members with 12 weeks of paid parental leave per year and would extend the benefit to scenarios involving miscarriages and stillbirths.

Oversight

Watchdog Suggests 112 New Actions to Enhance Government Savings and Efficiency 

Taxpayer services, prison staffing and infectious disease modeling are some of the areas the Government Accountability Office listed as ripe for reforms. 

Defense

‘Hype’ Over Military Coup Fears Delayed Troops’ Jan. 6 Response, Miller To Tell Congress

In testimony, former Acting SecDef Christopher Miller will say he dismissed Trump’s warning that 10,000 troops should be ready for his rally in Washington, but blames the media and credits his own deliberations for slowing the military's response at the Capitol.

Defense

Army Leaders Have Agreed to Cap Troop Size, Top General Says

Gen. McConville and the acting secretary have agreed the force will not grow past 485,000 active-duty soldiers next year. But can they keep it from shrinking?

Workforce

FEC Recommends Top Leaders Be Eligible for Senior Executive Service

The Senior Executive Association’s initial review says the proposal “makes sense on its face.”

Management

House Panel Advances Legislation to Expand VA Medical Employee Bargaining Rights

The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant medical professionals the right to bargain over scheduling and official time, and to file grievances over pay disputes.

Defense

What's In Biden’s First Budget? And How Late Will It Be?

The White House could submit its defense budget request later than any administration in at least a century.

Defense

New Fort Hood Report May Help Change Sexual Assault Prosecutions

Spc. Vanessa Guillén’s sexual harassment was reported by three soldiers. Command failed to act.

Management

Lawmakers Renew Efforts to Protect Animals in Government Labs

Bipartisan legislation builds on current policies at the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments, Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health. 

Defense

Pelosi: Milley ‘Doesn’t Know the Full Picture’ of Jan. 6 Capitol Attack

House speaker says Trump administration delayed military assistance to lawmakers.

Management

Are Reforms to the Federal Vacancies Act Still Needed Under President Biden? 

Experts say “yes.” A House lawmaker plans to reintroduce a bill soon to make improvements.   

Management

Bipartisan Lawmakers Launch Caucus to Simplify and Strengthen Federal Construction Procurement 

“Our federal contractors need members of Congress to promote sensible reforms,” said the co-chairs.

Oversight

IGs Cite ‘Serious Challenges’ Regarding Political Retaliation and Independence

Lawmakers weigh the need for new laws in the wake of former President Trump’s unprecedented attacks on federal watchdogs.

Pay & Benefits

Bill to Expand Paid Family Leave Benefits for Feds Introduced in Senate

Measure would grant federal workers up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for illnesses and other situations not covered under 2019 parental leave law.