MSPB Grants Former Federal Employee Adjustment in OPM Recovery of Overpayment
The Merit Systems Protection Board granted the petition for review of a former employee overpaid by $84,546.02, allowing the employee a major adjustment in his monthly repayment, and applying new language from the Office of Personnel Management on the nature of the employee’s ongoing debt.
New Leadership for VA Committees
Committees overseeing the Department of Veterans Affairs and related issues will come under new leadership in the 115th Congress.
Appeals Court: MSPB Whistleblower Decision Not Supported by Substantial Evidence
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the reviewing court of the Merit Systems Protection Board, reversed a Board decision denying relief for a personnel action taken by the Department of Justice, finding that the Board’s decision was not supported by substantial evidence.
Senators Scold IRS on Travel Expenses
In a report released by the Senate Finance Committee, Republicans touted the need for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees to better follow federal guidelines and per diem rates.
This Week on FEDtalk: Perspectives on Presidential Transition
Tune into FEDtalk this week for a discussion on the latest presidential transition books to hit the shelves.
Congress Passes NDAA with Paid Administrative Leave Fix
Before heading home for the holidays, Congress finished out the year by passing a number of measures, including the necessary Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government up and running.
Board Issues Adverse Actions Report
On December 5, 2016, the Merit Systems Protection Board released a new report, entitled “Adverse Actions: A Compilation of Articles.”
Another FLTCIP Hearing but No Solutions
Last week, members of Congress held a hearing to further discuss the massive premium hikes for federal long-term care insurance enrollees, but little more was uncovered.
Oklahoma Senator Produces Federal Government “Wastebook”
In his second annual “wastebook,“ entitled Federal Fumbles: 100 Ways the Government Dropped the Ball, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) outlines what he refers to as a “small fraction of the wasteful and duplicative spending from our government over the last few years.”
Funding Deadline Approaches as Congress Returns to DC
Congress has returned to Washington to finish out the lame-duck session, with the deadline for lawmakers’ top priority fast approaching.
Board Dismisses Case for Repeated Failure to Shorten a Petition for Review
The Merit Systems Protection Board appeal of a GS-13 Physical Security Specialist with the United States Navy was dismissed with prejudice after the MSPB found that the employee repeatedly failed to file a “perfected petition.”
Trade Association Urges Senate to Prioritize IT Modernization During Lame Duck
The Professional Services Council, an Arlington, Virginia-based trade association that represents hundreds of tech companies, sent a letter last week to Senators on both sides of the aisle, urging the Senate to take up the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act of 2016.
Freedom Caucus Chair Criticizes Comey on Clinton Investigation
Chairman of the Freedom Caucus, Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH), criticized FBI Director James Comey’s decision to inform Congress of new information found in the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.
Federal Circuit: Employees Entitled to Receive Only Salary of Position, Not Duties
The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an MSPB decision finding that a GS-13 General Services Administration (“GSA”) employee who claimed that after a temporary promotion he continued to perform the duties of a GS-14 employee was not constructively demoted.
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.
FMA and Congress Deliver Wounded Veterans a Well-Earned Benefit
Beginning November 5, 2016, managers have a new tool at their disposal to better accommodate our nation’s wounded veterans.
This Week on FEDtalk: How ICE HEROs Rescue & Protect Exploited Children
Many are surprised to discover the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency has a sizeable branch devoted to investigating online child exploitation crimes. Not only does this unit exist, but ICE also trains military veterans for elite analyst careers in this field via its Human Exploitation Rescue Operative (HERO) program.
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.