Briefing

Around Government

Vanishing federal jobs, rooting out resume fraud, courting the cloud.

Management

VA Review Finds Culture of Fear Among Staff in ‘Candy Land’

Initial findings of investigation show Wisconsin facility overprescribed pain pills to vets.

Management

White House Makes Push for a More Diverse, Inclusive Federal Workforce

New interagency council is part of a wide-ranging effort to make government a model for other industries.

Pay & Benefits

Sick Leave Bill for Disabled Vets Advances

Senate committee passes legislation that gives wounded warriors hired as feds access to their full year’s sick leave immediately.

Pay & Benefits

The Next Looming Deadline Federal Employees Should Know About

The government will hit the debt ceiling on March 15 unless Congress acts, and likely tap into federal retirement coffers to avoid a default.

Oversight

House Passes Bill Allowing VA Secretary to Claw Back Bonuses

Legislation allows employees to ask for a third-party review of secretary’s decision.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Seek to Reverse Cuts to Some Travel Allowances

Bill would repeal Pentagon policy that reduced per diem rates for military and civilian employees on long-term travel.

Management

VA Watchdog Finds Data Manipulation of Disability Claims at Arkansas Facility

Employees -- complying with headquarters guidance -- changed the dates in dozens of cases so that older claims appeared newer.

Management

Vet Group Wants to Turn Veterans Health Administration Into Amtrak

Proposal would transform federal agency into a government-chartered nonprofit and give vets a private health care option.

Management

Watchdog Dings Coast Guard for Lax Travel Spending Oversight

The agency spent nearly $4.5 million over four years for medical care travel for certain service members – and some of it might have been unnecessary.

Defense

VA Secretary Says He Never Misrepresented Military Service In Bio

Bob McDonald says misstatement about serving in the Special Forces resulted from trying to connect with homeless vet.

Pay & Benefits

Are There Too Many 'Outstanding' Senior Executives?

Watchdog worries that agencies aren't making meaningful distinctions in performance ratings and bonuses.

Pay & Benefits

Many Service Members' Feb. 27 Paychecks Will Be Smaller

A processing error at the Defense payroll agency affected retirement deductions related to Roth accounts.

Management

Watchdog: Pentagon Could Learn from HHS on Curbing Medical Claims Fraud

Health and Human Services has a better system than Defense does for identifying improper payments, GAO says.

Management

Former Employee of Government Contractor Alleges Sexual Harassment and Retaliation

Complaint against global security firm depicts Mad Men culture at ‘guys with guns’ company.

Defense

Pentagon: Sexual Assaults Are Down on Military College Campuses

Defense Department estimates there were 200 fewer victims among academy students in 2014 than in 2012.

Oversight

Panel Backs Bill Establishing that Yes, VA Can Claw Back Bonuses

Measure would give VA secretary the authority to rescind employee bonuses, after an appeal process.

Pay & Benefits

Military Compensation Reform Reminds Lawmaker of Calculus – And That’s Not a Good Thing

Explaining proposals to overhaul military pay and benefits to lawmakers is just as hard as selling them, panel finds.