EPA OIG to Review Reopening Plans as House Subcommittee Calls for Increased Oversight
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to review the agency’s reopening of offices across the country. The notice comes after the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s Government Operations Subcommittee wrote letters to 24 IG offices requesting they oversee agency reopening plans.
Lawmakers Introduce Financial Relief Package for U.S. Postal Service
A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act to provide USPS with up to $25 billion to cover revenue lost and operational expenses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation has earned the support of postal unions, who have long expressed a need to fund the Postal Service during the pandemic.
The Best-Kept Secrets About Federal Service
If you are thinking about jumping into a career as a federal employee or just started your journey as one, you may not be aware of the numerous opportunities and benefits that you get as a federal employee. From advancing your skills and education to discounts and loan forgiveness, there are dozens of programs and opportunities in place that federal employees can really benefit from.
Advocating for Managers in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act
One of the most critical bills the Federal Managers Association advocates on every year is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). First passed in 1961 – and consistently passed every year since – the NDAA is indispensable legislation that authorizes funding levels for the Department of Defense (DOD) and sets policies.
Supreme Court: Single-Director Structure of CFPB Violates Constitution’s Separation of Powers
On June 29, 2020, the United States Supreme Court held that restrictions on the President of the United States’ ability to fire a single director of a federal agency violates the separation of powers clause of the United States Constitution.
5 Truths on Federal Employee Student Loan Forgiveness
Federal employees have the opportunity for some student loan forgiveness. Here is more information on what to expect from that process.
White House Issues Executive Order on Federal Hiring
On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order on Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of Federal Job Candidates. The order calls upon agencies to increase use of skills assessments and interviews with subject matter experts in the hiring process, with less of an emphasis placed on degree requirements. The goal, according to the Trump Administration, is to broaden the pool of potential candidates and create a more equitable hiring process.
OPM Announces 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey to Begin in July
In a memo to agency leaders, OPM Acting Director Michael Rigas announced the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (OPM FEVS) will begin on July 13, 2020. The survey rollout was delayed earlier in the spring as agencies were focusing on mission critical work during the coronavirus response. Rigas also announced several changes to the survey.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Amendment Combatting Deepfakes in FY 2021 NDAA
Each year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes trillions in government programs, is seen as a ‘must pass’ piece of legislation to which lawmakers can add various amendments relating to military and civilian personnel matters. Last week, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Deepfake Report Act as an amendment to the Senate’s FY 2021 NDAA.
Fourth of July: Fauci Urges People to Gather Outdoors Ahead of Holiday Weekend
Dr. Fauci provides some direction for celebrating Independence Day during COVID-19.
OPM Issues Memo on Annual Leave and Other PTO Guidance
The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance on several elements of annual leave and other paid time off (PTO) last week in a memo from Acting Director Michael Rigas to agency heads. The memo clarifies and provides additional resources for employees on annual leave “use or lose” provisions impacted by COVID-19, restoration of annual leave, compensatory time off for travel, compensatory time off for overtime, credit hours, and disabled veteran leave.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker Tool
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, created under the CARES Act to oversee the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, released a tool today to track how relief packages were dispersed. The committee also released a June 2020 report on challenges agencies are facing when handling the CARES Act implementation and pandemic response.
Senate Committee Hosts Hearing on National Commission Civil Service Reform Recommendations
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management held a hearing today on the recommendations for reforming the civil service put forth by the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service.
Why Do Federal Managers Need Professional Liability Insurance?
On June 4th FEDS President Tony Vergnetti was the featured guest on the FedUpward podcast, in an episode titled “Do you need professional liability insurance?”
Burnout - Causes, symptoms and treatment
Working hard can sometimes lead to burn-out. Here are signs to watch for and how to get help before the situation gets worse.
Congress Requests IG Oversight on Agency Reopenings
House Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) sent letters to the Inspector General (IG) offices of 24 federal agencies requesting they develop assessment plans for reviewing their agencies’ plans for reopening. The letters criticize a lack of cooperation with oversight bodies from the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management.
60 Minutes Covers Impact of Lack of Quorum at MSPB
This week on 60 Minutes, Norah O’Donnell and the CBS investigative team did a deep dive into the federal agency responsible for providing federal employees with appeal rights should they be disciplined, demoted, or fired: the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Since 2017, the MSPB has lacked a quorum of board members, preventing it from fully functioning. For over a year, the board has not had any members at all.
Senators Introduce Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act
A group of Democratic Senators has introduced the Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response. The legislation has gained the support of 57 organizations, 8 Senate original co-sponsors and 18 House co-sponsors.