2021 US Citizenship Act Would Expand Federal Hiring and Workforce Reforms for Homeland Security Agencies
President Joe Biden and his administration recently proposed the 2021 U.S. Citizenship Act to Congress, where Democrats have introduced it in both chambers. The act would revamp the immigration system in the United States and reverse many immigration initiatives that were introduced by the Trump administration. The plan includes several reforms aimed at improving the homeland security workforce.
OPM Releases Memo on Recent Pay and Leave-Related Legislative Changes
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released a memo on February 16, 2021 detailing several legislative changes and extensions affecting federal employee pay and certain benefits with the implementation of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.
DOJ Issues Memo on Gaps in Whistleblower Protections for Contractors
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) sent a management advisory memorandum to remind personnel about whistleblower rights and protections for contractors. Michael Horowitz, DOJ’s Inspector General, sent the memo to Michael Allen, who is the Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Senior Procurement Executive in the Justice Management Division.
PMA Welcomes New National Leadership Team
The Professional Managers Association (PMA) – formed in 1981 by IRS Managers as a national membership association representing the interests of professional managers, management officials and non-bargaining unit employees in the federal government – welcomes individuals to the PMA National Leadership Team to serve as nationally elected board officers for two-year terms.
MSPB Evaluates Use of Direct Hire Authority in Federal Agencies
The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) released a report evaluating federal agencies’ use of Direct-Hire Authorities (DHAs) when filling critical roles in government, including medical, information technology, and acquisition occupations.
Suspected Chinese Hackers Possibly Infiltrated Federal Payroll Agency Through SolarWinds Hack
Now, there is concern that Chinese hackers may have been able to gain access to federal data during the time of the SolarWinds hack.
President Biden’s Memo Calls for a Better-Equipped National Security Workforce
On February 4, 2021, President Joe Biden released a national security memo that focused on revitalizing American foreign policy and restoring the national security workforce, institutions, and partnerships. He also recently appeared at the Department of State to send a message on foreign policy to the workforce, saying, “I want the people who work in this building, and our embassies and consulates around the world, to know I value your expertise, and I respect you. And I will have your back.”
DHS Issues Terrorism Advisory Due to Heightened Security Concerns
Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin due to security concerns following the inauguration of President Joe Biden. According to the bulletin, there is reason to believe that Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs) could be ideologically motivated to challenge the presidential transition and exercises of governmental authority.
President Biden Orders Review of Scientific Integrity Across Executive Branch
“It is the policy of my Administration to make evidence-based decisions guided by the best available science and data,” asserted President Joe Biden in a new executive memorandum requiring sweeping review and implementation of science-based policies and practices across the executive branch. The January 27, 2021 memo “reaffirms and builds on” prior Obama administration memoranda on scientific integrity.
GAO Issues Recommendations for Federal Agencies to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued its sixth report to review the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The non-partisan watchdog claims there is a major lack of federal action on COVID-19 response, especially in terms of vaccine distribution, for which the U.S. still does not have a comprehensive plan.
Biden Rescinds Schedule F, Workforce Executive Orders from Trump Administration
President Biden rescinded several executive orders imposed by President Trump within his first few days in office. Among the rescinded orders is one signed on October 21, 2020 that created a new “Schedule F” class of federal employees.
Biden Announces Interim Agency Heads as Confirmations Continue
President Joe Biden has announced several temporary agency heads as he awaits the confirmation of his nominees. Most of these interim leaders are career civil servants who know their agencies well. On Inauguration Day, for the first time in recent history, the president had none of his cabinet members confirmed by the Senate.
59th Presidential Inauguration NSSE Designation Expanded
The Department of Homeland Security announced on January 12 that the designation of the 59th Presidential Inauguration as a National Special Security Event (NSSE) would be expanded following the events at the Capitol and requests from stakeholders. Pursuant to Presidential Policy Directive-22, the inauguration was previously declared an NSSE from January 19, 2021 to January 21, 2021. However, in response to a number of requests from Congress and Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, DC, the NSSE period began on January 13.
Volcker Alliance Features Apolitical as Key Tool for Public Servants
The Volcker Alliance, on January 12, gave a presentation along with Apolitical called Connecting Public Servants Around the World to discuss topics like upskilling in government and the value of public servants. Apolitical is a company which offers courses, articles, events, and resources to help public servants perform their best.
Five Die in Capitol Insurrection, Top Security Officials Resign
As Americans watched on January 6, 2021, thousands of supporters for President Trump’s re-election campaign marched to the Capitol building in an effort to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College votes of the 2020 general election. The march erupted into violence as individuals stormed the Capitol, overwhelming security on the scene. Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress were forced to evacuate as the Capitol was breached by rioters and put on lockdown.
EEOC Cancels Official Time for Union Reps Despite Heavy Pushback
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has canceled official time for union representatives across government in a rule introduced in December 2019. The EEOC, which is responsible for eliminating workplace discrimination, voted 3-2 along party lines to strip union officials from using official time to work on colleagues’ discrimination complaints.
New Federal Data Strategy Promotes Learning Data Skills at All Levels
One of the top priorities for the Federal Data Strategy team is increasing data proficiency across the federal workforce. Over the course of 2020, they made significant strides towards achieving this goal. The General Services Administration (GSA) developed a Curated Data Skills Catalog and a Data Ethics Framework in order to help federal agencies better acquire and manage data.
Federal Employees to Receive 1% Pay Raise in 2021
President Trump recently signed an executive order granting federal employees a 1 percent pay increase in 2021. The order does not affect locality pay rates.