Author Archive

Sean Michael Newhouse

Sean Michael Newhouse

Staff Reporter

Before joining Government Executive in 2024, Sean Michael Newhouse covered House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. There, he covered a wide range of issues but took a particular interest in technology policy. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Before joining Government Executive in 2024, Sean Michael Newhouse covered House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. There, he covered a wide range of issues but took a particular interest in technology policy. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Oversight

Marjorie Taylor Greene to head new government efficiency subcommittee

The panel will work closely with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency.

Management

Immigration enforcement agents see Trump’s border czar as one of their own

Tom Homan spent more than 30 years as a federal law enforcement officer, ultimately becoming the leader of ICE.

Oversight

Intelligence IGs head for the exit before Trump’s return

Trump fired five inspectors general during his first administration.

Oversight

Senator wants info on inspectors general office sexual harassment settlements

Grassley wrote that whistleblowers informed his office that the financial agreements required complainants to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Management

Agencies expect small fiscal 2025 funding increases — at best

The Professional Services Council’s federal budget forecast predicts that fiscal 2025 appropriations will edge up slightly at best or face potential stinging GOP-led cuts.

Pay & Benefits

Feds in 2024 made almost a quarter less than their private sector peers

The Federal Salary Council, which reported the disparity, also recommended creating new locality pay areas in Kennewick-Richland-Walla Walla, Wash., and Syracuse-Auburn, N.Y.

Workforce

New Senate majority leader ‘excited’ to ‘dismantle federal bureaucracy’

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also said that he is open to allowing recess appointments, which could let Trump bypass the Senate for certain nominees.

Oversight

Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is lacking, OIG says

In one notable example from a recent report, a guard at a federal facility told a visitor to place their firearm in a bush to access the building.

Updated Management

Who has Trump nominated to serve in his Cabinet?

These nominees will hold huge sway in enacting the president-elect’s policies toward federal employees.

Pay & Benefits

House passes a bill eliminating tax provisions that harm some federal retirees

Despite solid bipartisan support, the Senate could run out of time to approve the legislation.

Pay & Benefits

Feds find open season 'unpleasant'—but may miss thousands in savings

Federal enrollees have until Dec. 9 to make changes to their health coverage ahead of substantial premium increases.

Workforce

Awards program spotlights the federal government’s ‘unsung heroes’ at a critical time for public service

The Arthur S. Flemming awards, co-coordinated by the George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration, is celebrating its 75th year honoring exceptional federal employees.

Updated Oversight

Senior White House official violated the Hatch Act, OSC says

A filing with the Merit Systems Protection Board alleges that Biden’s domestic policy advisor shared fundraising messages for Democratic political candidates on social media.

Management

An agency-by-agency look at Trump's plan to overhaul government

The president-elect's vision will lead to sweeping changes at federal agencies and the employees who work in them.

News

Presidential election too close to call after Election Day

The presidential candidates have campaigned on polar opposite plans for federal employees.

Management

If Republicans sweep on Election Day, they could easily repeal these Biden policies

The Congressional Review Act enables Congress to revoke recently-issued regulations, but which Biden administration rules they will be able to unwind depends on a still undetermined date.

Updated Management

10 congressional races for federal employees to watch

Many of the competitive House and Senate races involve lawmakers who oversee federal agency funding.

Management

Trump and Musk want to create a government efficiency commission. It’s not a new idea

Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both spearheaded initiatives to reduce government waste and inefficiency, although they went about it in vastly different ways.

Workforce

AI can improve how federal employees do their jobs, but training and resources need to be a priority

The IRS chief human capital officer said that training can no longer be viewed as an expendable expense.