Policy
Democrat asks agency watchdogs to tally the cost of DOGE
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., is estimating that the efficiency project has racked up around $21.7 billion.
Policy
California lawmakers urge Trump admin to halt cuts to national labs
Sens. Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, said budget cuts to national laboratories have already led to layoffs, with some other labs warning that “they may need to start laying off thousands of scientists and technical staff in the near future.”
Policy
House NDAA draft mandates database of contractors used in covert operations
The early stage defense bill draft would create an internal list of contractor clients that assist the U.S. military in its secret operations “to facilitate deconfliction and risk assessment.”
Policy
Fraud-fighting oversight committee gets a life extension in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee was set to sunset in September, but now has life through 2034.
Policy
Reconciliation bill includes measure to help civilian intel analysts cover moving costs
The policy aims to ease the financial burden on non-military intelligence workers by aligning their moving expense tax benefits with those already afforded to military personnel.
Policy
FBI to move headquarters into Reagan Building, seemingly resolving decades-long fight
Officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timeline for the move or if it would displace the Reagan Building’s current tenants.
Policy
White House budget request includes $45 million in additional DOGE funding
The request would support an estimated 150 full time employees, 80% of whom would be paid out of agency reimbursements, rather than DOGE-specific funds.
Policy
Scientific research needs more precise federal funding, White House tech leader says
“To get more bang for America's research bucks, we need to enhance the creativity and precision of our funding,” OSTP Director Michael Kratsios said.
Policy
FBI to reassign 1,500 employees outside of D.C. area, vacate current HQ, Patel says
The location of the FBI’s headquarters has been a contested issue for more than a decade, as the downtown Hoover building deteriorates.
Policy
Justice Dept. rescinds rules safeguarding media from government seizures
The rules, first issued under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, gave members of the press protections from legal mechanisms to obtain sensitive data linked to their reporting.
Policy
State Department moves cyber and intelligence bureaus under agencywide reorg
Some 15% of the agency’s domestic staff will be eliminated as part of the reorganization announced Tuesday.
Policy
NSF cancels over 400 grants covering disinformation, deepfakes and STEM education
Some $328 million worth of research grants to institutions was canned amid a broader restructuring of the National Science Foundation. Disinformation research and empowerment of underprivileged people in STEM fields were prime targets.
Policy
US urging allies to cease talks with Chinese satellite industry
Internal talking points also give State Department officials guidance on how to respond to allies’ concerns about SpaceX’s Starlink.
Policy
NSF begins terminating select grant funding
Research projects that are deemed to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion or that aim to combat mis- and disinformation will no longer receive funding from the National Science Foundation.
Policy
Democrats push Justice Department to keep Election Threats Task Force amid rollbacks
The task force was created to help protect election officials from stalking and threats, but its future remains in question after the Trump administration scrapped other election integrity initiatives.
Policy
Experts fear global media agency’s gutting will strip key tools against foreign propaganda
U.S. Agency for Global Media programs serve a critical function in the face of U.S. adversaries’ efforts to wage information warfare against American allies and regions of critical interest, an influence operations analyst said.
Policy
Judge orders DOGE to comply with FOIA requests
Trump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.
Policy
GSA reverses lease terminations for some GAO offices doing national security work
The Atlanta, Huntsville and Norfolk offices have been removed from a termination list tied to a DOGE effort to reduce purported government spending waste on building leases.
Policy
Republicans eye full-year CR, while Democrats look to use shutdown fight to stop Trump's firings
Lawmakers have until March 14 to avert a shutdown as some bipartisan talks continue.
Policy