Management

GovExec Daily: Bending or Rebuilding the Bureaucracy in the 2020 Election

Courtney Bublé, Eric Katz and Erich Wagner join the podcast to discuss their election stories on Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Workforce

Women in President Donald Trump’s White House Earn 69 Cents for Every $1 Paid to Male Staffers

The gender pay gap is wider than the national pay gap and wider than the gap in the Obama White House.

Management

OPM Moves to Formally Shift Administrative Law Judges Out of Competitive Service

Proposed regulations implementing a 2018 executive order confirm that existing judges at federal agencies will not be subject to the change unless they transfer to another agency or leave and return to federal service, but they will no longer be eligible for a number of financial incentive programs.

Management

Gauge of U.S. Democracy Hits Its Lowest Score Yet

The latest survey results from the political science research project Bright Line Watch are in: U.S. democracy gets just 61 out of 100.

Pay & Benefits

OMB Fails to Offer New Info in Payroll Tax Deferral Memo

Federal payroll processors are pushing ahead with the mandatory deferral of Social Security taxes between now and the end of the year, while warning employees that they will have to pay them back next year.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Make Last Ditch Push for Payroll Tax Deferral Opt-Out

Despite efforts, it appears unlikely the administration will reverse course on forcing federal workers to temporarily skip paying taxes that go toward Social Security.

Defense

Army Chief Denies Trump’s Claim That Generals Make War for Arms Makers

“We take this very, very seriously,” Gen. James McConville said in an interview with Defense One.

Management

White House Moves to Redirect Funding for Some Diversity Training at Agencies

Citing unnamed “press reports,” OMB said some training conducted by agencies is “un-American” and sows division in the federal workforce.

Pay & Benefits

Payroll Tax Deferral Will Be Mandatory for Eligible Feds, Service Members

The Trump administration has ignored calls to allow federal employees to opt out of the planned deferral of Social Security taxes from lawmakers and federal employee groups.

Oversight

Democrats Request Probe of Alleged Hatch Act Violations at Republican Convention

“We are particularly concerned with the consequences of White House actions on career employees who may have felt pressured to help organize and put on these events,” they wrote.

Oversight

The Trump Administration Is Backing Out of a $647 Million Ventilator Deal After ProPublica Investigated the Price

The government overpaid by hundreds of millions for Philips ventilators, says a House investigation spurred by ProPublica reporting. Now that deal is off and Congress is scrutinizing other coronavirus deals made by trade adviser Peter Navarro.

Management

Now in Government Food Aid Boxes: A Letter From Donald Trump

Democrats say the letter violates the law against using government resources to campaign. It’s just the latest example of President Trump using his office to boost his reelection hopes.

Pay & Benefits

Planned Payroll Tax Deferrals Create Minefield for Feds

If the deferment is made permanent, employees could see a lower payout in retirement; if not, employees could receive a large tax bill next year, union official says.

Management

If Trump Refuses to Accept Defeat in November, the Republic Will Survive Intact, as It Has 5 out of 6 Times in the Past

Five of the six contested presidential elections in U.S. history were resolved and the country moved on -- one ended in civil war. What will happen if the upcoming election is contested?

Management

Trump Promises to ‘Crush’ Coronavirus, Double Down on First-Term Priorities

“We will lead America into new frontiers of ambition and discovery,” the president said of his second term plans during the Republican National Convention.

Management

New Executive Order Seeks to Put Federal Buildings in Disadvantaged Areas

The General Services Administration will develop a plan to implement the directive. 

Defense

Trump Announces Intent To Nominate Wolf As DHS Secretary

Eleven days ago, the GAO ruled that Wolf had been named acting secretary illegally.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: Reevaluating the Hatch Act

Citizen for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington's Donald K. Sherman joins the podcast to discuss the complexities surrounding the rule in the Trump era.

Oversight

Burial Site Found on a Property Tied to Obama, Causing Tension With Native Hawaiians

After Native Hawaiian remains were found on the multimillion-dollar oceanfront lot being developed by the chair of the Obama Foundation, a state official decided to relocate the remains. Kamuela Kala‘i is speaking up for her ancestors.

Oversight

OSC Outlines Hatch Act Compliance Requirements for Convention Speech at White House

“If something falls into a gray zone, I recommend people seek OSC's Hatch Act advice before assuming something is either okay or a violation,” said a former OSC official.