Pay & Benefits

On the Anniversary of Government Reopening, Contractors Renew Push for Back Pay

Although Congress enacted back pay for furloughed federal employees at the end of last year’s 35-day partial government shutdown, Senate Republicans have repeatedly thwarted efforts to similarly compensate low-wage federal contractors.

Management

The Senate Confirmation Process is Twice As Long Today As It Was During the Reagan Era

Partnership for Public Service study highlights the importance of a president’s first and fifth years in getting vacancies filled. 

Management

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban Reverse Auctions for Federal Construction Contracts

House lawmakers introduced legislation on Thursday similar to a Senate measure passed in December.

Oversight

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Alleged EPA Ethics Violations

House overseers say they found multiple instances in which officials flouted required ethics pledges and other disclosures.

Oversight

Meet the House Republicans Who Want to Rein In Trump On War

After the Soleimani strike, a working group of moderate Republicans and Democrats trying to “clarify” Congress’s war responsibilities hope they can build momentum.

Management

Would Converting Some DHS Political Positions to Career Ones Help Employee Morale?

Good government group recommends this as one way to address long-term challenges with dissatisfaction among employees.

Oversight

Analysis: Can the Constitution Stop the Government from Lying to the Public?

When a person or agency backed by the power and resources of the government tells a lie, it sometimes causes harm that only the government can inflict.

Oversight

Good Government Groups Push for Nonpartisan Panel to Find FEC Commissioners 

They wrote to the White House and Senate leadership on Monday urging the speedy restoration of a quorum and then a panel to help fill the remaining seats.

Defense

Trump, like Obama, Tests the Limits of Presidential War Powers

Both President Trump and President Obama used military force without informing Congress, or getting its approval. But the differences reveal more than the similarities.

Oversight

House Passes War Powers Resolution to Limit War With Iran

The measure is legally toothless, but could still have some political impact.

Management

Senate Confirms Trump’s Pick for Regulations Czar

Paul Ray served as the acting head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs before receiving the nomination.

Pay & Benefits

Feds at Two Major Agencies Would Not Get Paid Parental Leave Under New Law

A law authorizing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers applies only to Title 5 employees, leaving workers at TSA, FAA and elsewhere fearing they will miss out. Democrats are working to change that.

Oversight

IRS Reforms Free File Program, Drops Agreement Not to Compete With TurboTax

The changes come after ProPublica’s reporting showed how TurboTax maker Intuit tricked customers into paying for tax prep they could have gotten for free.

Management

New Funding for Election Security Assistance Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Experts Say

Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Congress appropriated $425 million for states to help secure election infrastructure.

Oversight

The Legal Questions Still Unanswered by Trump’s Impeachment

What exactly is abuse of power? And, for that matter, what is “obstruction of Congress?”

Management

Lawmakers Accuse VA of Violating Bargaining Rules in Workforce Order Implementation

More than 70 House Democrats said the department must bargain with its union before it can implement President Trump’s controversial workforce executive orders.

Oversight

Lawmakers Blast DHS for Missing Deadline for Bipartisan Subpoena of Immigration Documents 

The House Homeland Security Committee requested information on the administration's policies related to handling of children and families for the second time.

Oversight

Trump Becomes the Third President in U.S. History to Be Impeached

The voted capped a two-month investigation, but it was years in the making.