President Trump Plans to Give Federal Employees a Raise
The Trump administration announced plans to recommend a 1.9 percent pay raise for federal workers to take effect January 2018, according to a budget document and senior budget official.
This Week on FEDtalk: Data Accessibility: Your Data Distilled
Tune in to FEDtalk this Friday to learn how federal agencies are using data visualization techniques to better educate the public on what they are doing and to improve government transparency.
Senate Democrats Draw the Line on Funding
Members of the Democratic leadership in the Senate are urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to carefully consider what will be included in the essential government funding bill that must pass next month, warning that they would shut down the government if any “poison pills” – such as funding for the proposed border wall – are included.
More Lawmakers Request Hiring Freeze Exemptions
Following reports that several military bases have had to shut down childcare programs due to the hiring freeze, two Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) sent a letter requesting an exemption from the freeze.
Trump Proposes Increase in Defense Budget with Cuts to Non-Defense Spending
With the prospective $54 billion increase in the budget for the Department of Defense, the Trump administration is expected to offset those costs through cuts to non-Defense agencies.
Motion to Compel Granted in Part in Federal Employee Class Action Data Breach Litigation
Customers brought separate actions against Anthem, a health insurance company, after the company’s computer systems were compromised by a cyberattack.
Representatives Lieu and Beyer Release Guidance on Federal Employees Sharing Information with Public
On Thursday, February 16, 2017, Representatives Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Don Beyer (D-VA) released guidance for federal employees who may want to break the Trump administration’s “blackout” on federal agency communications with the press.
Senate Debates Empowering Federal Managers, Civil Service Reform
Lacking the fireworks that have become a staple of many congressional hearings on federal workforce issues in recent years, last week a bipartisan cadre of Senators on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hosted a conversation between lawmakers and representatives of federal executive, management, and labor-level employees.
This Week on FEDtalk: Untold Stories of the American Presidents
Tune in to this special President’s Day edition of FEDtalk to learn all about the most interesting presidential stories you’ve never heard.
Congress United on Whistleblower Protections
Members on both sides of the aisle are seeking clarity from the new administration on how recent directives may impact federal employees and their perceptions of whistleblower rights.
Appeals Court Vacates FLRA Order to Air Force
After the Air Force appealed a Federal Labor Relations Authority decision and order to bargain collectively with Air Force civilian employees over access to on-base commissaries and exchanges, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit granted the Air Force’s petition and vacated FLRA’s order.
MSPB Issues Answers on Lack of Quorum at Outset of New Administration
On January 25, 2017, the United States Merit Systems Protection Board issued a document answering some “frequently asked questions” regarding the lack of Board “quorum,” or minimum number of members of the Board’s assembly.
Feds Are “The Swamp” Says House Majority Leader
In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) took on a popular phrase from President Trump, outlining that “the greatest threat to America’s people, economy, and Constitution” is the federal bureaucracy.
Sixth Circuit Rules National Security Exemption Inapplicable to Rehabilitation Act
After failing a pulmonary function test – a requirement imposed to maintain medical clearance – a Tennessee Valley Authority employee was discharged by the agency. After he brought a disability discrimination claim to district court under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, the agency moved for summary judgment, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction under Title VII’s “national-security exemption” and the “Egan doctrine.”
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.