Digital Government

The verdict: Work or free time?

Mere hours from this writing on Friday afternoon, many feds either will be heaving a sigh of relief or trying to figure out what to do with their free time.

Digital Government

House passes bill to continue government funding

The funding bill would provide money for civilian agencies through April 15 and the Defense Department through Sept. 30.

Digital Government

Congressional offices make decisions on who is essential

Lawmakers are largely making their own decisions about which staff members are essential employees who would not be furloughed during a government shutdown.

People

Shutdown would highlight government's IT dependence, experts say

Many crucial IT systems would halt and leave the government in uncharted territory in a shutdown — and history provides little guidance for how to respond.

People

Shutdown Watch: OMB addresses shutdown questions; budget talks continue at White House

Funding for the government will expire at midnight tomorrow, April 8.

People

Half of funding for Data.gov, IT Dashboard restored in latest CR

House GOP lawmakers are proposing a 50 percent cut in open government initiatives including Data.gov and the IT Dashboard.

Digital Government

Former GSA procurement chief goes to the Hill again

Emily Murphy will be working on small-business contracting and workforce issues for a House committee.

People

Shutdown Watch: OPM shares furlough information; Progress on 2011 budget is mixed

The impending government shutdown could put up to 800,000 feds temporarily out of work.

People

Administration provides shutdown details: What you can expect

Although President Barack Obama has repeatedly denounced a government shutdown in recent weeks, officials in his administration say they are cognizant that funding for the government expires April 8 and contingency plans are being prepared.

Digital Government

Is this really the best time to ask about feds' job satisfaction?

The Office of Personnel Management launched its 2011 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey the same week the government might shut down.

People

Lawmakers seek answers on federal pay issue

Republican leaders intent on reforming the federal pay system reportedly have asked the Government Accountability Office to examine why various studies come to different conclusions on how federal pay stacks up against private-sector pay.

People

Shutdown Watch: Employee furlough FAQ; GOP says 'no deal' on budget

Obama, lawmakers try to hammer out budget; shutdown clock still ticking.

Digital Government

Bill would keep government running for another week

House Republicans introduced another short-term funding measure April 4 to prevent the government from shutting down for at least another week, but President Barack Obama says he opposes further stopgap bills.

Digital Government

Get it over with, already

So what was that thing that went on in the House last Friday? An April Fool's prank? Or the desperate act of a bunch of weary legislators looking to pass a fiscal 2011 budget before fiscal 2011 is over?

People

Shutdown Watch: Agencies consider furloughs; Obama to meet with lawmakers

Some agencies could furlough employees without a shutdown; Obama to try to broker budget deal; and other shutdown news.

Digital Government

OMB nomination hits confirmation snag

The top Republican on the Senate Budget Committee says Heather Higginbottom doesn't have the right experience for the OMB job.

Digital Government

Senators want to reduce number of confirmations

A group of senators wants to reduce the number of nominations that require full Senate confirmation.

Digital Government

House passes symbolic bill to spur budget debate

The House passed a bill that would make an earlier House-passed fiscal 2011 appropriations bill law if the Senate does not approve a spending bill by April 6. The new bill would still need Senate approval.

People

First responders want public safety agency control of spectrum block

Fire and police officials urged lawmakers to give public safety agencies direct control of the D Block of radio spectrum rather than have priority access only in emergencies.

Digital Government

Shhh, don't talk about your shutdown plans

The Obama administration has reportedly instructed federal agencies not to share their shutdown plans with Congress or the public.