Author Archive
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
IRS services for underserved taxpayers are good but can be better, report says
While the IRS has focused on improving customer service for underserved taxpayers, TIGTA noted that the tax agency doesn’t currently have a definition for such taxpayers.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Updated
Management
GSA unveils advisory committee for transparency initiatives
The committee will help foster new goals and initiatives under the Biden administration’s open government plan.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Why do federal employee background checks take so long? Panel points to delayed IT system
The Defense Department agency responsible for vetting workers at most federal agencies originally planned to have a new background check system fully functional in 2019.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Colorado VA medical facility leaders created a ‘psychologically unsafe’ environment for employees
A pair of inspector general investigations substantiated claims that VA officials in Aurora, Colo., presided over a toxic work environment that also featured a year-long pause in certain surgeries due to staff departures.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Tax audits for some millionaires may be more effective than targeting a wider range, report finds
The TIGTA report compared a 2020 IRS directive that required annual audits on some individuals making more than $10 million to a wider income range, finding that the former yielded more assessments.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Tech
Generative AI’s fleet-footed evolution is causing quandaries for federal acquisition
Government leaders and federal contractors said the rapid development of generative AI makes it difficult for agencies to determine what types of tools it needs.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
‘Trailblazing’ federal leaders urge perseverance, authenticity to government interns
Panelists at an OPM event for interns praised federal DEI programs, which some congressional Republicans want to end.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
NSF’s ongoing major infrastructure project delays due to personnel, supply challenges, report says
Staffing challenges were partially at the root of delays for two of the agency’s construction facilities projects costing more than $100 million.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Burnout among government workers is decreasing but still high, according to new pulse survey data
Leader of the consulting firm that sponsored the poll says the burnout rate could cause public employees to leave their jobs.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
DHS needs to improve how it collects employee hiring and vetting data, GAO reports
The watchdog’s analysis found that the department did not meet its average hiring time targets in fiscal 2022 for nine out of 13 priority positions.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Coast Guard's handling of misconduct allegations draws increased scrutiny from Congress
Congressional inquiries were spurred by a media report that the Coast Guard kept hidden a multi-year investigation into sexual assault at its service academy.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
News
Schedule F looms over trust in government summit
New survey data from the Partnership for Public Service shows there is strong bipartisan support among the public for a nonpartisan civil service.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Telework questions pervade recommendation that GSA work on space utilization data
While the amount of office space required by federal agencies has been a longstanding issue, there’s more attention on it due to the increased use of telework since the pandemic.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Government watchdog reminds OPM about open HR recommendations
Some of the GAO’s priority recommendations include overhauling the General Schedule classification and pay system and simplifying agency hiring authorities.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
CBP disposes of and loses migrants’ personal belongings due to unclear policy, watchdog says
The GAO recommended that Border Patrol clarify the amount of personal property from individuals in its custody that should be stored and what items may or may not be discarded.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
News
Secret Service will brief Oversight committee about reports that VP’s agent fought coworkers
The Secret Service described the reported incident when an agent assigned to protect Vice President Kamala Harris attacked other agents as a medical situation.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
New analysis shows U.S. staff are underrepresented at the UN
Despite being the top contributor to the United Nations, the GAO found that the number of American citizen employees at certain agencies fell short of geographic representation targets set by the international organization.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Is the strategic national stockpile ready for the next emergency? GAO says no.
A new GAO report says HHS hasn’t resolved issues that were exposed when states tried to request stockpile supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
News
Legislation weighing contractors' national security risk heads to Senate floor
One bill would bar federal agencies from contracting with entities that consult with the Chinese government.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
ICE might be incorrectly measuring its resources needs, GAO says
A new GAO report found that the office responsible for managing ICE’s budget had a staff vacancy rate of 25% in fiscal 2023.
- Sean Michael Newhouse