Defense

How Donald Trump’s Daring Diplomacy With Kim Jong Un Fell Apart

When it comes to America’s last-ditch effort to prevent North Korea from becoming a nuclear power, timing has been everything. Now time’s running out.

Oversight

And Now Over to You, John Roberts

The chief justice has as his task to preside over the senate trial ahead. But his role is a limited one, and he should be able to manage it easily without putting his or the Court’s legitimacy at risk.

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.

Management

Congress Will Not Block Mandated Union Contracts in Spending Bill

In a blow to labor groups, a provision blocking the implementation of collective bargaining agreements that have not been “mutually agreed to” by all parties does not appear in the final spending legislation.

Pay & Benefits

Bipartisan Spending Deal Includes Average 3.1% Pay Raise for Federal Workers in 2020

Congressional negotiators agreed to use language advocated by Democrats to provide an across-the-board 2.6% pay increase to federal civilian employees, along with an average 0.5% boost in locality pay.

Oversight

Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract

Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration. 

Pay & Benefits

All the Federal Workforce Provisions Tucked into the Defense Policy Bill

In addition to providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave, the authorization act offers additional shutdown protections for feds and codifies the federal “ban the box” policy in hiring.

Pay & Benefits

White House, Democrats Reach Deal to Provide Paid Family Leave to Feds

A tentative agreement on the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act would provide all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid family leave each year.

Oversight

Analysis: Courts Have Avoided Refereeing Between Congress and the President, but Trump May Force Them to Wade In

President Trump refuses to provide information to lawmakers in the impeachment inquiry. But courts have been reluctant to take such cases for fear of upsetting the government's balance of power.

Management

Senate Committee Considers Trump’s Deregulation Crusader for Top Regulatory Role

At the same time, one of the administration's key initiatives to cut red tape is being challenged in court.

Oversight

Viewpoint: The Obscure—but Critical—Rules the Trump Administration Has Sought to Corrupt

I was part of a team that carefully developed a rule-making process in compliance with both the Constitution and Congress’s laws. Can the same be said now?

Management

Watchdog: Proposed OPM-GSA Merger Continues to 'Evolve' Despite Lack of Legislation

Officials have continued to examine moving portions of OPM to GSA piecemeal, and still lack documentation for the legal authority and cost benefit analyses, the inspector general said.

Management

OPM: Agencies Can Implement Workforce EOs at Some Agencies Without Bargaining

The Office of Personnel Management said agencies may unilaterally implement the provisions of three controversial executive orders, provided workers are operating under a contract that has been automatically renewed.

Management

Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court to Maintain Strict Burden in Age Discrimination Cases

The case, involving a VA pharmacist who claims the department discriminated against her based on age and gender, has implications for the entire federal workforce.

Defense

Viewpoint: How Trump Turned the Military Against Itself

The president’s repeated interference in a Navy SEAL’s case shows that he cares about only one kind of military discipline—obedience to Trump.

Oversight

Viewpoint: As the Rich Get Richer, the Ambassadors Get Worse

Gordon Sondland embodies an age-old problem—one that the flood of donor money into American politics is only exacerbating.

Oversight

Presidential Candidate Klobuchar Would Reform Election-Related Agencies

The Democratic senator and 2020 contender has been an election reform advocate in Congress and the few times the topic has come up during the primary debates.

Management

Senate Democrats Push for Union Protections in Spending Package

Language in a House-passed appropriations bill blocking implementation of union contracts imposed by a federal impasses panel remains subject to negotiation.

Workforce

Analysis: Trump’s War on Expertise Is Only Intensifying

But his attacks on career government officials could backfire with an ever more educated electorate.