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.
MSPB Clarifies Lack of Candor Charges
A Veterans Affairs police officer was charged with lack of candor, among other charges and specifications, and although the Board sustained the employee’s removal, it reversed the charge of Lack of Candor, clarifying the law in the process.
This Week on FEDtalk: Bringing in the Next Generation of Feds
Millennials are the largest, most diverse generation the country has ever seen, yet less than seven percent of all federal employees are Millennials (born after 1980). A slow hiring process and a series of poorly executed internship programs may contribute to the lack of interest from Millennials.
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.
Failure to Object to Scope of Appeal Barred Adjudication of Unreasonable Post-Restoration Position
A Postal Service employee appealing the agency’s failure to restore her to a position after she was injured and gained new medical restrictions argued that the position she was restored to was so unreasonable as to be an effective denial of her restoration, but her appeal was limited to the time period before she was restored.
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.
MSPB Newsletter Highlights Adjudication Number for Fiscal Year 2015
On May 23, 2016, the Merit Systems Protection Board issued its Spring newsletter, which included its adjudication statistics for Fiscal Year 15.
Senate Bill Would Enhance Retirement Benefits for 30K Feds
Legislation introduced last week would ensure all federal law enforcement officers receive enhanced retirement benefits.
MSPB: Board Review Must Be Solely on Grounds Invoked by Agency
The Merit Systems Protection Board remanded a case to the administrative judge because the charges were not reviewed solely on the bases invoked by the agency.
This Week on FEDtalk: Prepping for the Presidential Transition
With election day only six months out, federal employees, agency heads, and many organizations in Washington are preparing for the upcoming presidential transition. Here to discuss this hot topic is a roundtable of representatives from organizations around the federal community who are looking at the transition from both the political and workforce viewpoint.
House Judiciary Committee To Hold Hearings On IRS Misconduct
The House Judiciary Committee will host two hearings in the coming weeks regarding alleged “misconduct” by IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.
House Oversight Chair Continues Crusade Against IRS Commissioner
Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is demanding to know where the IRS has found money to hire up to 700 new staffers for enforcement.
MSPB: Veterans Preference No Exemption from Preappointment Process
Despite a negative passover decision from OPM, the Merit Systems Protection Board found that the Agency’s subsequent withdrawal of a job offer from a veteran with a 10-point preference was not improper.
House Panel Wants To Make Federal Employees Happier At Work
In effort to discover what makes some federal employees happier at some agencies, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform brought together representatives from agencies who have ranked high in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government and one – the Department of Homeland Security – who has struggled at the bottom for some time.
Claims Court Dismisses Secret Service Scheduling Complaint
On March 17, 2016, the United States Court of Federal Claims dismissed, in part, a complaint brought by current and former Physical Security Specialists employed by the United States Secret Service, who claimed that the agency engaged in unlawful scheduling and recordkeeping practices in order to deny overtime pay.
Lawmakers Urge Administration To ‘Ban The Box’
Last week, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and 50 other House members issued a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regarding “fair chance hiring” in government and to continue to ease hiring for formerly-incarcerated individuals.
