Management

House Passes One Week Stopgap Spending Bill

Lawmakers send measure to Senate and hope for full-year omnibus by new Dec. 18 deadline.

Pay & Benefits

Feds Gain Early Win in Fight for Payout From 2018 Shutdown

At least 32,000 federal employees could be in line for a four-figure payday, though 25,000 are still awaiting damages awarded to them after 2013 shutdown.

Management

Congressional Leaders Are Cautiously Optimistic They Can Avoid More Stopgap Funding This Year

Top negotiators say they have made some progress in setting line-by-line funding for federal agencies, but some barriers remain.

Pay & Benefits

OPM Moves to Implement Protections for Feds During Shutdowns

The 2020 Defense policy act included provisions ensuring federal workers would be able to change their insurance coverage due to a significant life event during a lapse in appropriations and protecting them from gaps in supplemental health care plans.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit

A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.

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

Senate Sends Shutdown-Averting Spending Bills to Trump

President is expected to sign the $1.4 trillion measures that would boost funding for most agencies and provide a 3.1% pay raise to civilian feds.

Management

House Clears Full-Year 2020 Spending, Sending Shutdown-Averting Bills to Senate

White House says Trump would sign the $1.4 trillion measures that would boost funding for most agencies and provide a 3.1% pay raise to civilian feds.

Oversight

Why Congress Would Keep Working During a Government Shutdown

Even if other parts of the federal government shut down, Congress could – and would have to – keep working. A legal scholar explains why and how that is possible.

Workforce

Maryland Senator Says President is the 'Wild Card' in Spending Negotiations 

While Democrats and Republicans negotiate on appropriations, it’s unclear how the president will react. 

Pay & Benefits

Lawsuit Against Working During Shutdowns Presents a Potential Catch-22

A federal judge ruled it would be too disruptive to stop agencies from forcing employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations, but the Trump administration on Wednesday argued the case is now moot because government is open.

Pay & Benefits

Feds Should Prepare Financially for Another Government Shutdown

Here are some ideas to help managers make sure employees are covered during a worst-case scenario.

Management

President Trump Signs Stopgap Bill Averting Shutdown for One Month

Lawmakers hope to pass full-year funding by Dec. 20, but caution the president could still throw a wrench into those plans.