This Week on FEDtalk: Government Budget & Personnel Reform
With a new administration filing into Capitol Hill, FEDtalk invites local experts in for a discussion on government reform.
Virginia Senators Grill OMB Nominee on Hiring Freeze
One day after signing an across the board hiring freeze, with limited exemptions for military personnel and national security purposes, President Trump’s pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) was met with a sharp line of questioning from Democratic Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
Chaffetz Warns Agencies Not to Hasten Hiring
Last week, Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, sent a letter to agency heads, stating the anticipated hiring freeze did not entitle them to accelerate the hiring process to fill current openings.
U.S. House of Representatives Reintroduces Full Holman Rule for 115th Congress
On January 3, 2017, the United States House of Representatives passed a House Resolution, adopting rules for the 115th Congress.
This Week on FEDtalk: A Fresh Take on New Year's Resolutions
At the dawn of a new year, celebrate new beginnings with FEDtalk.
Chaffetz Talks Changes to Feds’ Job Security and Retirement
This week, Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, spoke out about his intent to reform federal employees’ retirement benefits and job security.
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.