Federal Newscast

(4/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A no-show job and 31 government-paid trips to Orlando, leave an Army contracting officer to plead guilty to conspiracy and 10 counts of theft. Senators Braun and Ernst revive a bill to withhold the salaries of feds who don't pay their taxes. And the Air Force unveils a new strategy to fill nearly 2,000 job openings for pilots.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/26/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: With robberies against postal workers at epidemic levels, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durban implores the Justice Department to aggressively prosecute. NASA continues to struggle attempting to keep up with diversity in federal workforce. And the Veterans Affairs Department sets its sights on finding permanent housing for 38,000 homeless veterans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/25/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A court awards some Oregon VA employees, added leave and back pay in a COVID-related case. An alleged transgression costs a major government contractor $22 million. And the Technology Modernization Fund Board hands out more millions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's debt limit proposal evokes backlash from the largest federal employee union. The Department of Homeland Security announces new measures to address AI advances, as well as threats from China. And the VA warns that the debt-ceiling proposal by House Republicans would cut tens of thousands of jobs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/21/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Postal Service’s regulator is reviewing the agency’s plans to consolidate its delivery network. The Secret Service has a new deputy director. And lawmakers are still trying to figure out what to about the troubled rollout of the VA's new Electronic Health Record.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/20/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Other than strong Marine Corps numbers, recruiting struggles continue across the military. The Inspector General at the Energy Department says she needs more funding. And federal employees may soon see better access to child care services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/19/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directs DoD’s CIO to immediately issue new procedures on handling classified information. A Biden cabinet secretary gets called out for violating the Hatch Act. And OPM washes it hands of COVID-19, by removing it from its operating status.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/18/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The VA and NIH are launching a five-year study into the chronic condition known as Gulf War Illness. The Defense Department has named a new director for its Civilian Protection Center of Excellence. And the final piece to modernize the TIC 3.0 requirements has arrived.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/17/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The President's new federal telework guidance elicits backlash from House Republicans. The Postal Service inspector general’s office and the IRS are teaming up to stop tax-refund fraud. And the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires agencies to provide more accommodations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/14/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The False Claims Act brings the Justice Department $3 million from software giant Adobe. The Government Publishing Office makes some high-tech moves to make passports more secure. And with a slight survey-score decrease, the National Science Foundation is still one of the "Best Places to Work."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/13/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The FAA is conducting a pilot program that does not include a human pilot. The Defense Department wants to know what creates risk factors for military families. And a much-needed fix is coming to the SAM.gov platform.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/12/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Lawmakers try to strengthen a law designed to stop illegal opioids from coming through the mail. OMB is close to finalizing new requirements for software security. And the FCC launches its Space Bureau.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you see a robed figure on the corner with a sign reading, "The End is Near," take note. He could be talking to federal contractors. The longer the debt limit debate in Congress drags on, the more likely it will interrupt federal buying. To go deeper, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with federal sales and marketing consultant Larry Allen.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lots of nation's impinge on the Arctic Circle. Even more try to use it strategically, like China. That's why, for years, the U.S. Coast Guard has been stepping up its patrols in the Arctic and why it convinced Congress to fund two new heavy ice-breaking ships. At the recent Sea Air Space conference, Federal Drive got an exclusive update from Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Admiral Steve Poulin.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No cybersecurity measure is 100% reliable. That's why agencies need a dose of resilience -- the ability to get back to normal -- if a cyber attack were to succeed. For how to get more resilient, a group of smart thinkers got together in Washington. Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with one of them: Tony Scott, a former federal chief information officer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/11/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Alabama's Fort Rucker sheds its Confederate moniker with a name change. USA Jobs is back online. And snail mail just got more expensive, again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(4/10/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Some House Republicans are demanding eight years of Energy Department data, about employees who might have violated conflict-of-interest rules. GAO says the Defense Department still needs to work on fixing its privatized military housing. And AFGE membership continues to grow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, almost half of all CFO Act agencies have fewer employees today than in 2010.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, one good government group has a new initiative trying to bridge the gap between agencies and federal job applicants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, bicameral lawmakers are urging the Office of Personnel Management to share its plan to reduce wait times for processing federal employees’ retirement claims. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, an IRS watchdog says agency employees don’t have a proper channel to offer their feedback. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, U.S. intelligence officers have new restrictions on working for foreign governments when they retire.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/31/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Some transportation security officers could receive upwards of a 40% pay raise. The State Department looks to Mastercard for its latest deputy secretary. And the Department of Homeland Security is looking to harness artificial intelligence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/30/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Congressman Adam Schiff has introduced a bill to create another TSP investment option. GSA's Sonny Hashmi logs in to an oversight committee's hot seat. And Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is troubled by a glitch-plagued app for migrants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/29/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: After eight years of double and triple billing DoD for genetic tests, LabCorp pays a $2.1 million settlement. An IRS watchdog says the agency's uncollected taxes estimate in not clear enough. And House Democrats want to create another investment option for TSP participants.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Navy's former CIO docks his private-sector ship at Google Public Sector. A new Executive Order prevents agencies from using some commercial spyware. And federal employees in Shenandoah National Park have geography to thank for a pay increase.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A bill is reintroduced to establish an IG office for the agency that manages the Thrift Savings Plan. The Postal Service surpasses more than $2 billion in loses so far this fiscal year. And the Biden administration is figuring out a way to bring some standardization to how agencies hire cyber workers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A new House subcommittee chairman pledges to conduct rigorous oversight of CISA. All 44 Army installations institute the military housing Tenant Bill of Rights. And the White House is putting up $250 million to help make federal buildings more climate friendly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/23/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Raising duplication issues, lawmakers takes aim at changing how agencies buy software. Firms that get CHIPS Act money might need to avoid expanding their operations to places like China and Russia. And senators are trying again to create a reserve force of civilian cyber workers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/22/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A policy change dramatically boosts workers' comp acceptance rates for federal firefighters with heart problems and certain cancers. The Veterans Benefits Administration continues its hiring spree to handle a record workload. And HUD's Inspector General has her sights set on environmental justice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/21/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A southern Virginia Army base gets a name change on Friday. The IG says bad computer passwords are putting the FDIC at risk. And the National Security Agency hits an all-time high in hiring people with disabilities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/20/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: OPM gives agencies an extension to waive certain leave policies for essential federal workers. The Defense Department has started a new working group to implement its suicide prevention policies. And comments on a new shared services framework are due this week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/17/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The IRS Taxpayer Advocate wants more money budgeted for service and IT modernization, and less for enforcement. The Biden Administration wants higher pay for federal firefighters. And the federal workforce is becoming slightly more diverse.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) puts a hold on President Biden's pick to oversee VA benefits. The U.S. Access Board's 25-member governing board has new leadership. And, tweets aside, confirmation of POTUS pick for Archivist of the United States, is one step closer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/15/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Veterans Affairs Department's Inspector General tells the Veterans Health Administration to strengthen background checks to avoid hiring disqualified people. The Navy wants a 4.5% budget increase next year, to $256 billion. And CISA is launching a new initiative to combat ransomware.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/14/23)- In today's Federal Newscast: A union president, representing 150,000 federal workers, is hanging up the placards. The Army's first-ever civilian CIO has new private-sector gig, dealing with the public sector. And the Office of Personnel Management is processing retirement claims faster than a fax machine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/13/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Sexual harassment is on the rise at the Naval and Air Force Academies. The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to hire nearly a half million new employees. And 'double back pay' gets double the rejection by a federal appeals court.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/10/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is looking at a budget bump in the millions. The Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) is in line for $200 million more in fiscal 2024. And the Agriculture Department (USDA) goes in search of a better potato to make better chips.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/9/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The data breach at DC Health Link was a big one. SAM.gov also had problems, but GSA says it was not a cyber attack. And OPM is teaching federal job applicants the art of the interview.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/8/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: GAO promises more details about TSP's new website. Lawmakers look to ban agency use of Biometric Technology. And the Army's new advertising slogan is an old one.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/7/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Census Bureau didn't spend as much as once thought. Another bridge across the valley of death is being built for small-business contractors. And agencies are making progress on the President's Management Agenda.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/6/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The EPA thinks the nation's drinking-water systems need better cyber hygiene. The Senate now has a companion bill that would repeal provisions that limit some feds' Social Security benefits. And the GSA is cleaning out its acquisition closet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/3/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Reports from government employees of race, sex and age discrimination are on the decline. New legislation would create tax benefits for businesses that hire military spouses. And the Air Force liberalizes its tattoo policy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/2/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The Post Office has lost more than $2 billion this fiscal year. A new bill could bring changes to federal firefighters' retirement savings. And Homeland Security celebrates its 20th anniversary.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(3/1/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks talks about a mental-health priority. The financial systems modernization at Homeland Security comes under GAO scrutiny. And the IRS is looking for volunteers to advise the agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(2/28/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: There's no dance step or sidestep to help avoid the TikTok ban. The Director of CISA calls for changes in how tech companies design their products. And legacy data centers are dropping like flies and saving billions of dollars.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(2/27/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: Akin to the '85 Chicago Bears, the CIO shuffle continues at two agencies. AFGE rejects calls to cut the DoD civilian workforce. And CISA revamps its website and adds a big red button.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(2/24/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A Massachusetts senator calls for a glitchy asylum app to be shut down at the border. The GAO reports that the VA is failing to follow protocol when hiring drug felons. And a video-game-like simulator helps train Latin American military personnel at a Texas Air Force base.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(2/23/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: A House bill is gaining steam to restore full Social Security benefits to certain feds. The focus intensifies on an estimated $65 billion in bogus unemployment insurance payments during the pandemic. And one congressman is probing a no-bid contract at DHS.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(2/22/23) - In today's Federal Newscast: The federal contracting industry provides big-time support for Ukraine. TSP's obsolete forms could pose a problem. And DoD warns against the dangers of poppy-seed bagels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.