Federal Newscast
2,340 episodes — Page 31 of 47
Senate and House Dems blast FEMA for unfilled positions
In today's Federal Newscast, a bicameral group of Democrats say top leadership vacancies at the Federal Emergency Management Agency are unacceptable. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Over 20k military members have now been diagnosed with coronavirus
In today's Federal Newscast, nearly 22,000 service members have now been diagnosed with coronavirus after this week saw a more than 20 percent jump in infections.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
GSA puts out guide for navigating new rules banning Chinese telecoms equipment
In today's Federal Newscast, the General Services Administration publishes a colorful guide to a complicated issue -- the ban on Chinese telecommunications gear.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate Democrats want to secure hazard pay for frontline VA health workers
In today's Federal Newscast, Senators say they're still fielding complaints from VA health employees who say they don't have enough support to safely continue working during the pandemic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Defense Sec. bans photographs being used when considering promotions
In today's Federal Newscast, Defense Secretary Mark Esper bans photographs from being used in the process to promote officers and enlisted service members.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Michagan senator asks 24 agencies for deep details on their reopening plans
The top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee says he wants more details on agency reopening plans. Michigan Senator Gary Peters wrote to the heads of 24 agencies asking for their plans. He wants to know how agencies are going to provide masks and other protective equipment for employees, how they're modifying office space to comply with social distancing guidelines, and how they're informing employees of positive coronavirus cases. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How some NARA employees have been staying busy during the pandemic
In today's Federal Newscast, National Archives and Records Administration employees have spent the pandemic making Black history records more accessible to the public. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As coronavirus cases increase at CBP, TSA, Congressional overseers want to know how DHS is keeping employees safe
In today's Federal Newscast, Homeland Security Committee chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) wants to know what DHS is doing to keep all of its employees safe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senators question role the pandemic played in financial problems at USCIS
In today's Federal Newscast, two senators doubt the pandemic is the real reason behind the budget issues at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Census data shows how recession hurt veterans
In today's Federal Newscast, new Census data analysis shows, the recession of 2008 and 2009 hit one segment of the population particularly hard.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Environmental Protection Agency wants to help cities keep their transit systems clean
In today's Federal Newscast, the EPA has teamed up with the New York and Los Angeles mass transit systems to learn more about how to disinfect them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Treasury Dept. reverses course, will allow PRAC to oversee all CARES Act spending
In today's Federal Newscast, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells the House Oversight and Reform Committee the law allows inspectors general on the committee to review spending under the Paycheck Protection Program, and other funds previously in question.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
IG takes a close look at EPA's reopening plans
The EPA Office of Inspector General says its reopening review is part of its broader effort to study the pandemic's impact on the EPA and its operations. Many EPA members of the American Federation of Government Employees say they feel uncomfortable with returning to the office.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House Democrats demand transcripts of Trump administration being told they can't legally eliminate OPM
In today's Federal Newscast, Two Democratic regulators are requesting transcripts from a conference call involving of several members of the Trump administration, regarding the elimination of the Office of Personnel Management. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Space Force is taking shape and finalizing its organizational structure
The SPACE FORCE: three echelons of command, with lesser structures called, "deltas." The deltas are like the wings or groups of the Air Force and are run by colonels. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Time nears for federal contractors to, by law, dump two Chinese companies
Federal contractors have about six weeks to meet a provision in the 2019 Defense authorization bill that says they are not using any equipment from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in their supply chains. And any hope that deadline may be moved, decreased yesterday when the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau formally designated Huawei and ZTE as national security threats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New mechanism for VA to screen patients, employees for coronavirus
In today's Federal Newscast, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a new digital tool to help screen veterans, employees and other visitors for coronavirus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After pandemic delay, the FEVS are on their way back
In today's Federal Newscast, the Office of Personnel Management will start sending the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey to all federal employees in July.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13,000 jobs in jeopardy at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
In today's Federal Newscast, the Trump administration is reminding Congress of budget challenges at US Citizenship and Immigration Services. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal employees pay increase is literally a gift
Federal employees are getting an inflation increase when it comes to accepting non-sponsored gifts at widely-attended events and those under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act. The Office of Government Ethics raised the thresholds to $415 from $390 over a three-year period. The final rule raises the dollar thresholds for the first time since May 2017.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Thousands impacted, as COVID-19 takes its toll on veterans, as well as VA staff
The Department of Veterans Affairs is dealing with a cumulative total of over 19,000 corona virus cases, with 2,285 veterans being treated today. More than 200 VA health professionals have active cases, with nearly 1,800 VA additional VA employees having already recovered from COVID-19. And there have been 27 deaths of VA employees due to coronavirus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Pandemic could give chance to modernize federal workforce
In today's Federal Newscast, the Senior Executives Association is urging the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to take action this year on hiring reforms and other recommendations to modernize the federal workforce.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new proposal to dissolve some federal agencies
In today's Federal Newscast, a new bill is introduced to set up a temporary federal commission to propose recommendations for eliminating certain agencies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Another senior DOD official stepping down
In today's Federal Newscast, another senior pentagon official is stepping down for what appear to be political reasons.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
PRAC points out teleworking difficulties in analysis of agencies' coronavirus response
In today's Federal Newscast, telework limitations rank high up on the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee’s list of federal agency challenges during the pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A casualty of Ukraine military-aid scandal, the Pentagon's top financial official to resign
In today's Federal Newscast, Elaine McCusker, DoD’s acting comptroller and chief financial officer, will step down on June 26. She was nominated by President Trump for a permanent position, but it was revoked over reported disagreements about Ukraine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
State Dept. gets kudos from the Senate for coronavirus response
In today's Federal Newscast, the Senate applauds the State Department for bringing more than 100-thousand Americans home during the coronavirus pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
IRS discontinuing incentive payments for employees who go to the office during the pandemic
In today's Federal Newscast, the IRS will no longer be giving employees 10-25% pay increase for going into the office during the coronavirus pandemic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
VA says its now closer to offer more coronavirus testing to its employees
In today's Federal Newscast, Veterans Affairs officials tell Congress they're in the process of securing enough materials to test agency employees.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ways to ensure the federal IT workforce of the future
In today's Federal Newscast, the Chief Information Officers Council says government needs a new pay and personnel system to better recruit and compensate the future federal IT workforce.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
MSPB extending mandatory telework until next month
In today's Federal Newscast, while many agencies are setting reopening dates in early to mid-June to bring an initial wave of employees back to the office, the Merit Systems Protection Board is waiting until the end of June.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
FEMA prepared for upcoming hurricane season thanks to pandemic response
In today's Federal Newscast, a possible silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic, FEMA has a headstart as the 2020 hurricane season officially gets underway. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As HASC begins work on 2021 NDAA, unions hope it will include protections for defense workers
In today's Federal Newscast, one of the biggest federal employee unions is asking the House Armed Services Committee for protection.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senator holding up Trump nominations until he gets answers on fired IG's
In today's Federal Newscast, Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is putting a hold on two Trump administration nominations until the White House sheds more light on the recent firing of two inspectors general.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
IG: Telework hasn't hampered HUD operations
In today's Federal Newscast, the Department of Housing and Urban Development's inspector general says the agency was generally well prepared for the change to mandatory telework.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM IG has his virtual day in the Senate
In today's Federal Newscast, the president's nominee to be the Office of Personnel Management inspector general got some face time before the Senate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TIGTA: IRS failed to investigate 370,000 high income households for not filing taxes
In today's Federal Newscast, an IRS watchdog finds serious gaps in the agency’s enforcement of high-income households that haven’t filed or paid their taxes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USPS lays out suggestions on vote-by-mail services for local governments
In today's Federal Newscast, with vote-by-mail services in high demand, the Postal Service sets recommendations for state and local governments to make sure each ballot gets counted.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TSA expected to soon offer early retirement to several workers
In today's Federal Newscast, the Transportation Security Administration soon will offer early retirements to employees across the agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Government cyber incidents continue a downward trend
In today's Federal Newscast, the number of cybersecurity incidents across government is down for a second straight year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With above average hurricane season possible, lawmakers want to make sure the Coast Guard is ready
In today's Federal Newscast, lawmakers ask Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Karl Schultz asking eight questions about how the coronavirus is impacting the service.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House leaders look to add lay of protection for inspectors general
In today's Federal Newscast, the IG Independence Act would limit the grounds a president has to remove an inspector general.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Veterans get new resource for coronavirus information
In today's Federal Newscast, a new chatbot from the Veterans Affairs Department aims to help veterans with any coronavirus questions they may have.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate Democrats want oversight hearing on agencies' coronavirus response
In todays' Federal Newscast, Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee worry the panel is failing to hold federal agencies accountable for their response to the coronavirus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate bill looks to make sure Coronavirus spending watchdog can hit the ground running
In today's Federal Newscast, a bipartisan bill in the Senate would fast-track hiring staff to work for the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, who’s now one step away from confirmation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More women are joining the military but they're not sticking around long enough to make it a career
In today's Federal Newscast, the military has made some gains in recruiting women over the past 15 years. But they’re still much less likely to serve for a full career than men are. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Should Social Security accept electronic signatures
The National Federation of the Blind and four individual plaintiffs file a lawsuit in federal court against the Social Security Administration for its refusal to accept digital signatures. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TSP board details coronavirus loan and withdrawl stipulations
In today's Federal Newscast, the Thrift Savings Plan has a few more details on loan and withdrawal relief options that participants can take during the coronavirus pandemic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
GSA releases tool for monitoring agency spending to contractors
In today's Federal Newscast, the General Services Administration makes its governmentwide category management awards exploration tool publicly available. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
VA facilities up capacity amid coronavirus pandemic
In today's Federal Newscast, patient capacity at Veterans Affairs medical facilities is up within the last month. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.