Stakeholders Push to Prevent Firings of Career Staff
A coalition of nearly 50 organizations urged Congress to pass the Preventing a Patronage System Act in the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last week. This week, two lawmakers echoed that call in an op-ed published in GovExec.
Workplace, Federal Building, Disaster Relief Legislation from Senate Government Affairs Committee signed into law
Bipartisan lawmakers are celebrating the signing of federal workforce and workplace measures into law last week. On Tuesday, President Joseph Biden signed three bills into law that advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee earlier this Congress.
Nominations Update: Over 400 Positions Filled, Several Hundred to Go
President Biden has to fill roughly 4,000 politically appointed positions in the executive branch and independent agencies. Of these, roughly 1,200 require Senate confirmation.
Senate Returns to Chambers to Consider NDAA Amendments
The Senate is back this week to debate on the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The annual authorization bills not only set Pentagon policy but often becomes a vehicle for myriad other provisions.
Congress Punts Government Funding to Lame Duck Session
Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by punting appropriations with the stopgap measure hours before funding expired. The continuing resolution (CR) expires on December 16.
Senate Intelligence Committee Issues Report Detailing Foreign Threats
The Senate Committee on Intelligence released a redacted, non-partisan report last week examining foreign intelligence threats currently impacting the United States.
Lawmakers Consider Codifying Federal Management, Information Offices
Lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate are considering proposals to establish and codify federal offices that will help implement agency policies.
Amidst Congressional Insider Trading Debate, Lawmakers Target Senior Executives
Reps. Michael Cloud (R-TX) and Jared Golden (D-ME) have collaborated in an effort to prohibit top civil servants from trading individual stocks, covering “senior federal employees”.
Proposed Bill Calls for Hill Staff to Enjoy Similar Protections as other Federal Employees
Last week, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced legislation that would equip congressional staff with the same whistleblower rights and workplace regulations as federal employees.
House Sets Up Potential Repeal of Windfall Elimination, Government Pension Offset
Late last month, the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) reached a new milestone in the House of Representatives: 294 co-sponsors, ensuring a floor vote following the chamber's recess.
Senate Coalition Request GAO Oversight in Section 508 Federal Standards
A bipartisan group of Senators requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) examine whether the federal government is complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Clash Continues Over Public Service Reform, Schedule F Amongst Lawmakers
Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Mary Miller (R-IL), Troy Nehls, R-(TX), Bob Good (R-VA), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), introduced legislation this week to eliminate several federal civil service protections.
Continuing Resolution Appears Inevitable as Senate Appropriations Negotiations Stall
As Senate lawmakers remain divided on top-line funding levels, reports indicate that a continuing resolution (CR), or government shutdown is inevitable.
House Passes FY23 Minibus, Silently Endorses 4.6% Pay Raise for Federal Employees
In advance of the August recess, the House of Representatives passed a massive spending package for fiscal year (FY) 2023.
House Passes NDAA with Pentagon Budget of $840.2 Billion
The House of Representatives passed last week its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2023 by a vote of 329-101.
'Exemplary' Staffers Believe Congress Isn’t Functioning Properly, Citing Polarization
A recent report from the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) and the Partnership for Public Service found 76 percent out of 128 congressional staffers believe Congress is not functioning.
POTUS Signs Trio of Bills into Law Concerning Cybersecurity
President Joe Biden signed three bipartisan cybersecurity bills into law to address the shortage of talent, local and state security measures, and advance electronic records modernization.
House Appropriations Committee Advances Cluster of FY23 Bills
The House Committee on Appropriations has continued in recent weeks to review fiscal year (FY) 2023 proposed expenditures. As of last Friday, the full committee advanced six bills.