Sen. Cardin Says Feds Should 'Be a Little Outraged' Over Proposed Pay and Benefits Cuts
In an interview last week on Federal News Radio’s Federal Drive with Tom Temin, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) reminded federal employees that dodging the $32 billion in cuts to federal retirement that were components of both the White House and House of Representatives budget proposals does not mean federal employees no longer have cause for concern.
Appeals Court: FBI Employees Cannot Raise Defense of Whistleblower Reprisal in Adverse Action Appeals
On October 26, 2017, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, after granting the Department of Justice’s petition for rehearing en banc, vacated its prior decision, and found that preference-eligible FBI employees appealing an adverse action to the Merit Systems Protection Board may not raise an affirmative defense of whistleblower reprisal, nor may they file an individual right of action (“IRA”) appeal to bring whistleblower claims to the Board.
You Can't Turn the Clock Back on an Allegation made Against You
You are dedicated. You are hardworking. You have an exemplary record. You would never need a lawyer to defend an act, error or omission in the course of your employment. Unfortunately, your phone call is the hardest one we receive and almost always starts with, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.”
President Trump Demands Tax Reform by Christmas
During a meeting today, President Donald Trump indicated his goal is to sign a tax reform bill before Christmas, a statement that increases the pressure on Congressional Republicans who have thus far found difficulty agreeing on what specific shape various aspects of a tax overhaul proposal should take.
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Grants Petition for Rehearing En Banc in Due Process Case
On October 13, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a petition for rehearing en banc filed by the Department of Defense, and vacated the court’s panel opinion in Federal Education Association-Stateside Region v. Department of Defense. 841 F.3d 1362 (Fed. Cir. 2016), reversing an arbitrator’s opinion after finding a due process violation. In its October 13, 2017 order, the appeals court requested that the parties address the relevant cases and issues, but specifically requested that the parties address the court’s decisions in Sullivan v. Department of Navy, 720 F.2d 1266 (Fed. Cir. 1983) and Ryder v. United States, 585 F.2d 482 (Ct. Cl. 1978).
President Trump Visits Capitol Hill to Talk Tax Reform Amidst Ongoing Feuds
President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Capitol Hill today to meet with Republican lawmakers in a discussion with wide-ranging implications on legislative proposals, most notably on the shape of any forthcoming tax reform proposal.
Managers Critical of FY2018 Funding Process
To say the process to fund the federal government is complex is an understatement. Considering that spending, including both mandatory and discretionary, totals more than $4 trillion dollars annually, that makes sense
This Week on FEDtalk: Doing More with Less
This week on FEDtalk, we are discussing the dwindling capacity of members and their staffs to effectively do their jobs as responsibilities increase.
Dismissal of Class Action Suit Against OPM Resulting from Data Breach Appealed
In a consolidated multidistrict class action against the Office of Personnel Management following a severe data breach of OPM’s cybersecurity that affected millions of federal employees and former federal employees, federal employees and the union alleged gross negligence and a violation of constitutional rights to informational privacy, but the United States District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed the case on September 19, 2017. On October 12, 2017, the employees appealed the dismissal to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C Circuit.
Oversight Ranking Member Investigating Interior Dept. Reassignments
Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), the Ranking Member on the House Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) Committee has announced an investigation into the Department of Interior’s reassignment of roughly one-fifth of the agency’s Senior Executive Service (SES) employees.
Supreme Court Grants Certiorari to Decide Whether Union Fees for Non-Member Public Employees Violate First Amendment
On September 28, 2017, the Supreme Court granted certiorari to consider whether agency fee arrangements imposed by public unions on non-member public employees are constitutional.
House Budget Committee Report Highlights Threats to Federal Benefits
A report from the House Budget Committee on the House version of republicans' proposed budget resolution provides a clear glimpse of how impacted federal employees could be, under a "worst case scenario."
Professional Liability Insurance for Federal Managers
There is inherent risk in everyday federal management decisions.
Lankford Bill Would Increase VSIP Payments for First Time in 15 Years
A bill introduced last week by Senator James Lankford (R-OK), the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment Adjustment Act of 2017 (S.1888), is slated for markup by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Relations Committee (HSGAC). Lankford serves as chairman of HSGAC’s Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management.
FAA Reauthorization Measure Fails in House
A bill intended to provide short-term funding for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) failed to get the necessary votes for passage yesterday.
We the Podcast People
This week on FEDtalk, we are excited to host two prominent figures in the world of podcasting, both of whom have started new projects focusing on the U.S. Constitution.
Court of Appeals Reverses Dismissal of Whistleblower Case by MSPB
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the MSPB’s dismissal of a Department of Homeland Security employee’s Individual Right of Action (“IRA”) whistleblower retaliation appeal.
Senate NDAA Includes MGT Act Language Modernizing Federal IT
The third round of Senate amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – the major appropriations bill setting spending levels for the Department of Defense – will include language from the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act, a bill that would seek to provide the funding necessary to enable agencies to modernize the technology on which they rely.