Federal Newscast
2,312 episodes — Page 36 of 47
Updated AI plan seeks more public-private partnerships
The Trump Administration's revised national reserach and development plan for artificial intelligence calls for more collaboration between government, academia, non-profits and the private sector.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Taxpayer Advocate says IRS still struggles with public service
National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson says response times to incoming calls at the IRS remains the biggest challenge the agency has in dealing with the public. In her final report to Congress before retiring, Olson said the IRS is successful in processing most returns, but for those who need more help, the experience is challenging. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Report: Social Security's death records continue to be inaccurate
The Social Security Advisory Board has joined the Government Accounability Office in calling SSA's to share its death records to curb improper payments.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
White House not on board with giving contractors back pay for government shutdown
In today's Federal Newscast, the Trump administration says the idea will be too costly and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and improper payments.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
White House wants at least one-third of federal advisory committees gone
In today's Federal Newscast, President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week directing federal agencies to cut at least one-third of all federal advisory committees.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal workers could have benefits protected during future government shutdowns
In today's Federal Newscast, two bills to protect federal employees' health insurance benefits during future government shutdowns advanced to the full House for a vote.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate provision calls for review of Pentagon's total IT workforce
In today's Federal Newscast, a provision in the annual Defense bill the Senate Armed Services Committee released this week would order a top-to-bottom review of the contractor, civilian and military IT positions in each military service and DoD agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Customers rank federal agencies lower than airlines and car rental services
In today's Federal Newscast, according to new numbers from market research company Forrester, the federal government as a whole was ranked lower than airlines, car rental services, and health care providers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill to create cyber incident response teams at DHS passes the House
In today's Federal Newscast, Rep. Michael McCaul's (R-TX) bill, the DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act, would create groups of cyber first responders in the event of a cyber attack on the government or private sector. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House appropriators say no to another agency's reorganization plans
In today's Federal Newscast, funding to support the Interior Department's plans to reorganize its bureaus and management functions into 12 unified regions across the country is absent from the House 20-20 appropriations bill. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission could face shortage of cyber inspectors
In today's Federal Newscast, the NRC's inspector general finds a third of NRC's inspectors will be eligible to retire in 2020.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Veterans Affairs told it should stop posting disciplinary actions on its website
In today's Federal Newscast, an arbitrator finds the Veterans Affairs Department should take down a public record of employee firings and other punishments from its website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Congressional VA committee leaders want a better answer on secret wait lists
In today's Federal Newscast, Senate and House Veterans Affairs committee leaders are demanding answers from the VA about claims involving secret wait lists for veterans seeking care. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bicameral efforts to save nearly 1,000 Forest Service jobs are underway
In today's Federal Newscast, House and Senate lawmakers have taken steps to prevent a White House proposal which would result in about 1,000 layoffs at the U.S. Forest Service.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Government contracting dollars spiked in 2018
In today's Federal Newscast, the Government Accountability Office says agency spending on products and services in 2018 reached its highest level in seven years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House subcommittee looks to give federal employees another pay bump
In today's Federal Newscast, the House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee includes a pay raise for civilian employees in its 2020 spending billSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Navy ramping up adoption of new pay and hiring system for cyber employees
In today's Federal Newscast, the Navy’s Fleet Cyber Command started wide-scale implementation of the Cyber Excepted Service this month.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump admin. plan to cut DOD workers' rights gets axed from Senate NDAA
In today's Federal Newscast, a White House plan to take away some workers rights from civilian D-O-D employees gets denied support from the SenateSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
CBP creates new position to handle border apprehensions
In today's Federal Newscast, to help ease the administrative burden on Border Patrol agents, Customs and Border Protection is creating a new position assigned with handling the processing of people apprehended at the border.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
First look at new ideas to modernize Congress
In today's Federal Newscast, the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress approves its first round of recommendations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Army ready to open more combat positions to female soldiers
In today's Federal Newscast, Army officials give an update of how many female soldiers are now in combat brigades, and plans to place more in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump administration unhappy with House appropriators for not funding Interior reorganization
In today's Federal Newscast, the Office of Management and Budget is expressing its displeasure with the early versions of appropriations bills coming out of the House Appropriations Committee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DOD stepping up recruitment efforts to find more diverse cyber talent
In today's Federal Newscast, as part of a new pilot program, the Defense Department awards contracts to five companies to actively recruit technical talent from the private sector.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM encourages more telework during summer Metro shutdowns
In today's Federal Newscast, OPM is recommending federal agencies adjust their teleworking policies to accommodate disruptions to employees commutes with looming Metro station closures this summer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TSA leaders promise reforms to make agency a better place to work
In today's Federal Newscast, Transportation Security Administration administrator David Pekoske promises a series of changes to improve TSA's human capital practices.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Despite increase in federal managers failing probationary periods, agencies hardly takes action
In today's Federal Newscast, the Merit Systems Protection Board finds between 1999 and 2016, only about 7 for ever 1000 new supervisors faced consequences for failing their probationary period. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Despite new accountability law, VA still finding it tough to fire director of DC facility
In today's Federal Newscast, after the Veterans Affairs Department second attempt at firing the director of its DC facility, VA's case against Brian Hawkins is reportedly falling apart, and he will be reinstated.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
EEOC employees union wastes no time presenting issues to new chairwoman
In today's Federal Newscast, Council 216 of the American Federation of Government Employees is urging the new Chairwoman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to push for more staff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House VA committee leaders worried agency is not doing enough to stop sexual harassment at VA facilities
In today's Federal Newscast, a bipartisan group in the House Veterans Affairs Committee wants more information about V-A's plans to curb sexual harassment among female veterans and employees.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Postal Service retains title of Americans' favorite agency
In today's Federal Newscast, a new Gallup poll shows three in four Americans say USPS is doing a good or excellent job.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate bill would have GSA and OMB draft plans for relocating agencies outside of D.C.
In today's Federal Newscast, a new bill from Senator Todd Young (R-IN) would grant the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration the authority to draft plans for moving non-national security agencies to other areas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Less workers at the IRS means....less work getting done
In today's Federal Newscast, amid shrinking budgets and workforce cuts, the IRS has also seen a reduction in tax enforcement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senators look to revive program to help small businesses work with the Pentagon
In today's Federal Newscast, a new Senate bill looks to improve the Defense Department’s Mentor-Protégé Program, which expired last year.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
GAO has suggestions for Congress in handling whistleblowers
In today's Federal Newscast, the Government Accountability Office has provided Congress with some best practices when it comes to dealing with federal whistleblowers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USPS may start delivering booze for extra money
In today's Federal Newscast, a new bill in the House calls for allowing the Postal Service to deliver alcohol to consumers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USDA narrows down choices for relocation of two bureaus
In today's Federal Newscast, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue reveals where the agency is looking to relocate the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New bill to help temporary federal workers save for retirement
In today's Federal Newscast, A bipartisan pair of lawmakers want to give some federal employees a new retirement flexibility.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Third intelligence official of the year found guilty of conspiring with Chinese government
In today's Federal Newscast, another former member of the intelligence community is found to have conspired with Chinese intelligence services.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New bill would let military servicemembers sue Pentagon for medical malpractice
In today's Federal Newscast, a handful of members of Congress introduce a bill to allow military servicemembers to sue the Department of Defense for instances of medical malpractice unrelated to their military duties.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New rule could shift defense contracts to performance-based payment model
In today's Federal Newscast, the Defense Department is looking to require all fixed price contracts be paid out through performance-based contractual payments.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lawmakers worried about the amount of leadership turnover at the Homeland Security Department
In today's Federal Newscast, Three House committee chairmen are launching an investigation into recent leadership changes at the Homeland Security Department.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
CBP hopes new retention incentive will convince Border Patrol agents to stick around
In today's Federal Newscast, Customs and Border Protection is offering bonuses to Border Patrol agents who enter into a 12 month service agreement with the agency.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Coast Guard to get new icebreaker, but says it will need more to compete in the Arctic
In today's Federal Newscast, the Coast Guard will finally get one of it's ships it says it's needed for a long time, but also puts out a new strategy for the Arctic region which says it will need more ships, planes, helicopters, and drones.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Social Security Administration will need to dip into reserve funds to stay afloat
In today's Federal Newscast, in their annual report to Congress, the Social Security Trustees say they expect total costs to exceed income next year, and in all the years beyond that. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Labor Dept. trying out faster way to process contractor punishments
In today's Federal Newscast, the Labor Department will pilot a faster approach to discretionary suspension and debarment with its Inspector General and its Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
IRS is having trouble outing tax cheats under its own roof
In today's Federal Newscast, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration finds the I-R-S doesn't always follow its own procedures for reviewing and adjudicating cases of missed filings or under-reported income.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OGE considering restrictions for donations to federal employees' legal expense funds
In today's Federal Newscast, the Office of Government Ethics wants feedback on whether it should set restrictions on donations to legal expense funds for federal employees. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Another clue into when feds will see raise in their paychecks
In today's Federal Newscast, all signs point to federal employees' paychecks looking a little larger by early next week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hundreds of federal officers have personal information hacked
In today's Federal Newscast, the personal information of hundreds of federal agents and police officers appears to have been stolen from websites affiliated with alumni of the FBI’s National Academy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill to give federal employees 12 weeks of paid family leave now has Senate companion
In today's Federal Newscast, a version of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act is introduced into the Senate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.