Workforce
Trump's pick for DHS chief vows to shake up 'dysfunctional' department, boost workforce morale
Kristi Noem used her confirmation hearing to excoriate work done by DHS during the Biden administration and said big changes are coming.
Management
Senior executive standards get first update in more than 15 years
OPM said technological advances necessitated the changes, but some stakeholders argued the modifications still don’t reflect current governmental needs.
Workforce
The civil service system is a barrier to effective talent management
COMMENTARY | Government needs to adopt overhaul recommendations and “tailor employment policies toward specific occupations or labor markets.”
Management
Trump nominees offer praise to career feds, but promise efficiencies
The president-elect's picks to lead EPA, State and other agencies struck a different tone toward civil servants than some former Trump officials, suggesting the administration would lean on their expertise.
Sponsor Content
Fraud on the Line: Protecting Constituents and Agencies From Growing Call Threats
Many constituents know the warning: “Government agencies will never call you to ask for money or personal information.
Pay & Benefits
Democrats introduce bills to provide feds 4.3% average pay raise in 2026, standardize retiree COLAs
Lawmakers have reintroduced annual bills aimed at setting a marker for the upcoming federal pay raise debate and to end bifurcated cost-of-living increases for federal retirees.
Transition
Biden lauds federal workforce’s dedication in farewell letter
The outgoing president thanked federal employees for their dedication and reflected on his administration's policy achievements and accomplishments.
Updated
Oversight
Inspectors general have a new bipartisan caucus in the Senate
The president-elect has a record of removing inspectors general.
Sponsor Content
Revolutionizing Federal Data Management
Real-world case studies and insights into future innovations will equip you to navigate the evolving data landscape.
Pay & Benefits
How to prepare for an unexpected retirement
Some readers with fears about the future of their jobs under the next administration reached out for advice.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Workforce
House Oversight Republicans open Congress with rants against telework, unions
The first hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was ostensibly about telework yet frequently devolved into anti-union rhetoric.
Updated
Workforce
VA employees ordered to pay back bonuses over misconduct now have an appeal process
The rulemaking is the result of a 2017 law intended to make it easier to remove poor-performing VA employees, but the Biden administration previously decided not to use it after legal decisions blunted the law’s authorities.
Management
Trump’s pick for OMB chief defends removing civil service protections, withholding appropriated funds
Russ Vought laments "weaponized bureaucracies" as he draws bipartisan criticism for declining to commit to following spending laws.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
JAN 16 CLOSE
$18.7921
$19.4768
$93.8602
$93.1450
$42.2471
DAILY CHANGE
0.0024
0.0463
-0.1958
0.5766
0.2074
THIS MONTH (%)
0.20
-0.01
1.00
3.32
0.84
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
JAN 16 CLOSE
$17.7988
$35.2632
$58.3306
$50.8642
$26.8681
DAILY CHANGE
0.0260
0.0488
0.0723
0.0536
0.0163
THIS MONTH (%)
1.24
1.05
0.95
0.83
0.48
FUND
JAN 16
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.7921
0.0024
0.20
F
$19.4768
0.0463
-0.01
C
$93.8602
-0.1958
1.00
S
$93.1450
0.5766
3.32
I
$42.2471
0.2074
0.84
L 2050
$35.2632
0.0488
1.05
L 2040
$58.3306
0.0723
0.95
L 2030
$50.8642
0.0536
0.83
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$26.8681
0.0163
0.48
Management
What does the head of the State Department do?
The secretary of state has an expansive job that could make or break peace deals and key foreign alliances.
Management
DOGE agency deployments raise ethical and influence concerns
Trump’s government efficiency commission is reportedly sending staff around government, but its structure remains a mystery.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Republicans dial up multiple bills to cull telework flexibility
The 119th Congress has started early on reintroducing or debuting new plans to reduce telework capabilities at federal agencies.
Workforce
Trump’s proposed cuts to the federal workforce could increase dependency on contractors, experts say
Conversely, Trump’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency plans to push for decreasing spending on federal contracts.
Defense
‘I know what I don’t know,’ defense secretary pick says at confirmation hearing
Pete Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
Defense
What does the head of Homeland Security do?
The job of the homeland security secretary is to adapt almost continuously to pressures from the department, the public and the world at large.
Management
OPM officials tout agency’s transformation under Biden
Leaders at the federal government’s dedicated HR agency said the organization has come a long way since being targeted for elimination by the first Trump administration.
Management
Some Trump nominees face confirmation delays with ethics and background checks behind schedule
Lawmakers are demanding Senate Republicans not move forward without full vetting, a process delayed by Trump's transition foot-dragging.
Pay & Benefits
OPM set to finalize rules standardizing General Schedule, blue collar locality pay maps
The final rule implementing the long-requested adjustment to the Federal Wage System’s map of wage areas won’t be published until after President-elect Trump’s inauguration.
Transition
Reported Trump ‘loyalty tests’ for national security officials spur criticism
If career employees are removed from the National Security Council, they would return to their home agencies, but the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has expressed concern.
Management
What does the defense secretary do?
The secretary of defense must perform a "delicate dance" between the president, Congress and the public.
Management
‘Over half’ of federal websites got better in the past year, OMB official says
Metrics released by the Office of Management and Budget offer insight into how agencies are implementing the 21st Century IDEA Act.
