Trump Administration to Stop Taxpayer Funding for Critical Race Theory Training
A September 4, 2020 memo (M-20-34) from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought asserts that critical race theory (CRT) trainings for federal employees are un-American and go against the founding principles of the United States. The memo directs agencies to cancel contracts and cease funding for these trainings.
Congress, White House Reach Informal Agreement to Prevent Government Shutdown
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin have reportedly agreed to a stopgap, government-wide funding bill for federal agencies. This informal consensus would avoid a government shutdown in October and extend funding at fiscal year 2020 levels for federal agencies until at least the November 3, 2020 election.
Leadership Through The COVID-19 Crisis
Leadership in the time of COVID-19 can be challenging. Learn how to overcome these challenges and put your best foot forward even during difficult times.
D.C. Circuit Panel: Congress Must Pass Law to Authorize House Subpoena Enforcement
On August 31, 2020, in a 2-1 decision after a remand from the en banc court, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives (“Judiciary Committee”) had no valid cause of action to enforce its subpoena for executive branch records related to former White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn, II, where the Executive Branch blocked McGahn’s testimony and asserted “absolute testimonial immunity.”
Looking Back & Looking Forward
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic constitutes one of the greatest challenges this country has faced since the attacks of September 11th. This week marks the 19th anniversary of 9/11, and FEDS Protection continues to salute those federal employees who have continued to serve our country through crises past and present.
OPM Launches Annual Charity Fundraiser
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is launching their annual charity fundraiser, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), which will run from September 21, 2020 to January 15, 2021. CFC is the largest annual workplace charity campaign, involving over 200 domestic and international charity campaigns that raise millions of dollars every year. The program gives federal employees the opportunity to give back to their communities.
Agencies Focus on Reskilling During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way the federal workforce operates and evaluates employee skills. Much of the federal workforce has shifted to virtual work during the pandemic, and this change has had an effect on the way employees work in the federal realm.
GAO Investigates Handling of Time and Attendance Misconduct in Federal Agencies
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report last month in which they investigated the prevalence of time and attendance misconduct and fraud within federal agencies. The report describes what is known about the extent of time and attendance misconduct and potential fraud across the 24 agencies using reporting controls and technologies under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act) to monitor employee time and attendance.
Federal Circuit: No MSPB Jurisdiction for Termination for Failure to Maintain National Guard Membership
A dual-status military technician, whose position was partially civilian and partially military, appealed his termination for failing to maintain membership in the National Guard, a prerequisite to his dual-status appointment under 32 U.S.C. § 709(b), to the Merit Systems Protection Board.
What Feds Need to Know: Fall 2020
As part of our commitment to providing Civilian Federal Employees and their families with access to products and services that promote their health, welfare, and financial well-being, WAEPA has compiled some of the top federal resources you need to be “in the know” for Open Season.
Advocating for Feds to Keep Their Earned Leave
Much of what we do here at the Federal Managers Association comes down to trying to get a square deal for feds. We recognize that federal managers do critical work on behalf of the country, and that without them and the work they do, the country would not function as well as it does. From disaster response to building transportation infrastructure to protecting our national security, feds do the hard work of keeping our country safe, prosperous, and strong.
11 Simple Productivity Hacks To Maximize Your Day
Learn how to have the most productive day possible and accomplish your goals.
USCIS Furloughs Canceled Following Congressional Pressure
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was planning on furloughing at least 13,000 employees at the end of this month due to budgetary shortfalls. On Tuesday, Joseph Edlow, the agency’s Deputy Director for Policy, announced the agency will have enough funding to maintain operations through the end of the year following Congressional pressure.
OPM Launches New Records System
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is introducing a new records system titled “Federal Competency Assessment Records” that will collect and store OPM data to be used for training and development purposes.
AFGE Pushes for Federal Workforce Provisions in 2021 NDAA
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union for the federal workforce, is pushing for the inclusion of several federal workforce provisions within the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Their primary focuses include securing proper pay and keeping federal jobs.
FEDtalk This Week: Making Congress Modern
Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Vice Chair of the Committee, Representative Tom Graves (R-GA), spoke to host Jason Briefel on this week’s episode of FEDtalk. Briefel also spoke with Congressional reform advocates Kevin Kosar of the R Street Institute and Daniel Schuman of Demand Progress.
15 Tips To Manage Your Time Better
We all have 24 hours in a day. How can we make the most of it?
FLTCIP 3.0: Comprehensive Coverage with Added Premium Stability
In today’s world, planning is essential. People are living longer and need a long-range care plan that can sustain them throughout their lifetime.