Management

Maryland delegation to launch bipartisan push for funds to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge

A pending bill would allow the state to avoid incurring 10% of the costs of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Management

Senate action on DHS chief impeachment coming this week

With the slim majority Democrats have in the Senate, it’s likely the two articles of impeachment go nowhere and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas remains in his role.

Workforce

Senators take another crack at improving federal telework data

The latest bipartisan bill aimed at better measuring the workplace flexibility’s effectiveness would require agencies to publish their telework policies, as well as implement already planned improvements to data collection on its usage.

Management

New bill would convert unused government buildings into affordable housing

Reps. Adam Schiff and Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., cosponsored legislation that would direct the Housing and Urban Development Secretary to help refashion certain federal, state and local government properties into affordable residential rental projects.

Oversight

Bill would axe classified access for feds charged with a crime

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., appears tailored to allegations of Donald Trump's retention of classified documents, but would remove almost any federal employee’s access if they were charged with specific offenses.  

Management

House Speaker to deliver Mayorkas impeachment articles to the Senate in early April

It’s unlikely the Homeland Security secretary will be removed from office, but the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy.

Management

The continuing irresolution to fund the federal government

COMMENTARY | Congress just keeps getting worse at passing spending bills. There are consequences.

Pay & Benefits

House conservatives recycle federal worker pay and benefit cuts in budget document

The Republican Study Committee’s fiscal 2025 budget plan would drastically cut federal workers’ retirement and health care benefits and end across-the-board annual pay hikes.

Oversight

House GOP members want info on IRS’ alleged AI ‘financial surveillance’ of citizens

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., requested more details about the tax agency’s use of artificial intelligence in its enforcement efforts in a letter published Wednesday.

Workforce

O’Malley urges lawmakers to support hiring money for Social Security

President Biden’s fiscal 2025 budget proposal would boost the beleaguered agency’s funding by 9% over fiscal 2023 levels, which the new commissioner said is key to improving customer service.

Updated Management

Senate misses deadline but averts shutdown after passing $1.2T funding package

Appropriations technically expired but shutdown procedures never commenced, with all agencies now funded through September.

Management

Here are the 9 biggest agency and program reforms in the final FY24 spending package

Lawmakers have until the end of the day Friday to move the second "minibus" of the fiscal year to avoid a shutdown.

Updated Oversight

House committee leaders want Biden to oust the acting Commerce IG

Lawmakers on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee said the current acting inspector general is “entangled” in the allegations that led to his predecessor’s ouster, adding that they lack confidence in “any” senior staffers to lead the watchdog office.

Updated Oversight

Key senator calls for pause to DeJoy’s changes at USPS

The Postal Service is not being transparent with Congress about its reform efforts, committee chairman says. USPS disputes the claim.

Management

GOP bill aims to limit IRS’ use of AI

The legislation — cosponsored by Reps. Clay Higgins, R-La., and Eric Burlison, R- Mo. — could look to put new restrictions on the tax agency’s deployment of AI in its revenue enforcement efforts and require staff to launch new investigations. 

Workforce

D.C. lawmaker wants to restore due process to feds in ‘sensitive’ posts

A new bill would overrule a 2013 federal appellate court decision that denied roughly 200,000 federal employees access to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Exclusive Oversight

House GOP launches investigation into DOJ's immigration judge 'gag order'

Top lawmakers say the Biden administration is inhibiting free speech and circumscribing congressional oversight.

Pay & Benefits

“It feels impossible to stay”: The U.S. needs wildland firefighters more than ever, but the federal government is losing them

Highly skilled firefighters are the last line of defense against wildfires, but that line is fraying because the government decided long ago that they’re not worth very much.

Workforce

Lawmakers, employee groups call for a permanent increase in federal firefighter pay

Under current measures implemented by the Biden administration, federal wildland firefighters will face yet another “pay cliff” this fall.