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.
Oversight
Bill enhancing contractor whistleblower protections advances to the Senate
The bipartisan proposal would close loopholes that have left federal contractors vulnerable to retaliation.
Management
Key federal workforce agencies get confirmed leaders
Biden finally has confirmed heads at the primary civil service enforcement agencies.
Oversight
Senate finance chair calls for inspector general’s ouster
Sen. Ron Wyden on Thursday urged President Biden to remove Social Security Administration Inspector General Gail Ennis after a series of controversies and allegations of whistleblower retaliation.
Workforce
Senate takes first steps to refill federal workforce watchdog roles
At the civil service appeals agency, parts of the workforce are voicing frustration with current leadership.
Workforce
Administration officials defend maligned whistleblower protection office, though lawmakers still want changes
A VA office meant to protect employees is fundamentally flawed, lawmakers and advocates say.
Workforce
Science group threatens lawsuit over OPM’s failure to implement limiting involuntary leave for feds accused of misconduct
Although Congress passed a law aimed at preventing federal workers accused of misconduct from being stuck in limbo in 2016, the federal government’s HR agency never issued regulations to implement the measure.
Management
Whistleblower alleges government coverup of UFO sightings, recovery efforts
Former intelligence official turned whistleblower David Grusch told lawmakers that the federal government has conducted “a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program” that has collected “non-human” remains.
Oversight
FBI Whistleblower Protections May Finally Catch Up With Obama-era Policy Changes
The Justice Department also wants to know how it can further increase “fairness, effectiveness, efficiency and transparency” for whistleblowers.
Workforce
Federal Employee Appeals Board Still Has Years of Work Ahead to Cut Through Its Record Backlog
Board has made slow but steady progress in reducing its workload after Congress incapacitated it for five years.
Oversight
FDA 'Failed' the Public and a Whistleblower By Ignoring Science
The agency has tweaked its tobacco product review process and also pledges to better resolve scientific disputes after whistleblower alleges reprisal.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Can the Federal Government Just Dismiss Whistleblower Cases?
Attorneys Richard Renner and Kate Krems joined the podcast to discuss the case of United States ex rel. Polansky v. Executive Health Resources Inc.
Oversight
Legislation Increasing Whistleblower Protections for Federal Employees Gets House Approval
It is one of several bills House lawmakers took up this week to improve government transparency and accountability.
Oversight
The House Plans to Take Up Whistleblower Protections Legislation
The bill would fill in gaps from previous whistleblower legislation, according to a coalition of advocacy groups.
Workforce
Lawmaker Pushes for Legislative Branch Employees to Have the Same Rights as Other Feds
Congress should hold itself to the same employer standards as the rest of government, House member says.
Workforce
White House Can't Just Retaliate Against and Discipline Its Employees Willy-Nilly, Panel Rules
Non-political appointees at the White House are now entitled to civil service protections.
Workforce
'There Needs to Be a Reckoning': Republicans Introduce a Bill to Make Feds At-Will Employees
The legislation, along with recent talk of a renewed effort to implement Schedule F, makes clear that a “major assault” on the federal civil service is coming, regardless of who the next Republican presidential nominee will be.
Management
Being Left Out of Meetings or Yelled at Isn’t Always Enough to Claim Whistleblower Protections
Still, MSPB says it will broadly interpret civil service laws to cumulatively examine management’s actions.
Workforce
Lawmakers Look to Strip a Maligned Whistleblower Protection Office of Key Powers
Leaders insist the office is turning a corner, but lawmakers and advocates say its structure is fundamentally flawed and in need of reform.
Oversight