Hiring Freeze Would Cause Increased Delays at SSA for Social Security Claims
Under the House of Representatives’ funding bill, the Social Security Administration (SSA) would receive $772 million less than the $11.1 billion requested by President Obama, and the Senate’s bill would allocate $582 million less for the agency.
Retired Feds to Receive Small COLA Increase
Federal retirees, who did not receive a cost-of-living increase last year, will see a modest adjustment of 0.3 percent in 2017.
Congressman Introduces At-Will Legislation for Feds
Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) is the most recent member of Congress to introduce legislation in search of accountability for wayward government employees. The Promote Accountability and Government Efficiency Act would make all federal employees at-will, eliminating the due process protections currently afforded to them.
Congress is Cutting it Close on Spending Again
As the deadline to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) fast approaches, legislators are debating how to advance a spending bill and prevent another government shutdown.
OPM Pushes for Death Benefits Increase
With Congress back for a brief period, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is pushing a legislative proposal to increase the current death gratuity rate for civilian workers killed on the job in addition to the funeral allowance allotted.
New White House Report Warns of Sequestration
In a new report released by the White House, the administration cautioned that the House of Representatives’ version of the government’s discretionary budget for fiscal year 2017 could prompt the return of sequestration.
Tea Party Chairman to Again Push for IRS Commissioner Impeachment After Recess
As recess winds down and Congress prepares to return to Washington, Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) and other members are pushing once again for the House to take up an effort to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.
Clinton to Call Congress to Return and Address Zika Funding
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will call on Congress to return from recess and approve emergency funding to fight Zika during her campaign stop in Miami, according to a campaign aide.
Obama to Issue Fed Pay Raise Proposal this Month
By August 31st, feds will know what to expect for this year regarding a pay raise. That’s the cutoff point for the president, who is expected to propose a 1.6% across-the-board pay increase for civilian federal employees as outlined in his fiscal 2017 budget.
Virginia House Members Seek Answer to FLTCIP Increase
In a letter issued last week to Beth Cobert, the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) demanded answers regarding the recent increase in premiums for enrollees in the Federal Long-Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP).
Lawmakers Introduce Legislative Option to Modernize Agency IT Systems
A legislative alternative to the White House’s proposed $3.1 billion IT Modernization Fund has been introduced in both the House and Senate.
During Metro Repairs, Lawmakers Move to Allow Transit Benefits to be Used for Ridesharing
Last week, Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced legislation to allow federal employees to use their transit benefits toward ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft.
House Committee Seeks Answers on Political Appointee Conversions
In a letter to Acting Director Beth Cobert of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee last week requested details regarding how many political appointees have been converted to career positions since September of last year.
White House Threatens Veto Over IRS Budget Cuts
The White House is threatening a veto to the House version of the fiscal 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill because of its inclusion of $236 million in additional cuts to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) budget.
House Committee Looks to Hold Administrator in Contempt of Congress
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is weighing a vote on a resolution to hold the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) Administrator in contempt, with Chairman Jason Chaffetz leading the charge while House Democrats stand in opposition.
IRS Budget Slashed Once Again
An early draft of a fiscal 2017 appropriations bill has passed through the House Appropriations’ subcommittee on financial services and general government with massive cuts to the IRS’ budget.
Senate NDAA Provision Would Narrow Veterans’ Preference
The Senate’s Defense authorization bill for fiscal 2017 currently includes a provision that would narrow veterans’ preference in hiring efforts so that it would only apply to a veteran’s first job in federal service. The new provision would not factor in veteran status for any subsequent federal jobs an eligible employee applies for.
Legislation to Bypass Unions Moves on Senate Side
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) voted unanimously to approve a new measure that would allow federal agencies to bypass employee unions when blocking access to webmail and other websites believed to be security risks.