People

Republicans target telework bill for oversight

Republicans pledge to restore oversight measures to the telework bill, while supporters say savings could far outweigh costs.

Digital Government

Senate confirms Lew as OMB director

The Senate confirms Jacob Lew as director of the Office of Management and Budget after his nomination had been held up.

Digital Government

Prepare to hunker down in 2011

Those who represent federal employees (both union types and lawmakers) squeezed a lot of solid gains for feds from this outgoing Congress, especially in terms of improvements to retirement benefits, and—depending on your point of view—the demise of the National Security Personnel System.

People

Telework bill finally on president's desk

Legislation is an attempt to greatly increase the number of federal employees allowed to telework, but its critics say it won't do the job.

Digital Government

New concerns over cyber terrorism threat

Politicians and national leaders voice concerns over cyber terrorism and and propose ways to address the threat.

Digital Government

Telework bill still cranking through Congress

Well, with the mid-term elections and all the noise over federal pay, we haven’t heard much about the telework bill lately. But the National Treasury Employees Union hasn’t forgotten about it. The union today said it is calling on members of the House to agree to Senate amendments to the bill, H.R. 1722, which passed the House earlier.

People

Union hopes to help new lawmakers see benefits of fed workforce

With Republican lawmakers set to take over the House, the head of the National Treasury Employees Union said the union will seek to educate new lawmakers on the importance of the federal workforce -- and the dangers a proposed hiring freeze would pose to taxpayers.

Digital Government

Election aftershocks could hit IT agenda

No one in the federal IT community should be lulled into complacency by the thought that IT is a bipartisan issue, some officials say.

Digital Government

Furloughs, freezes and other measures

The shift in power in the House in the new year may put a lot of things back on the table when it comes to the federal workplace.

Acquisition

Procurement experts weigh election results

Shifting political balance in Congress could bring changes to procurement, IT.

Acquisition

IT innovation might be at risk under new Congress, former Rep. Davis warns

Former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) predicts that the new House GOP majority will be zealous in scrutinizing agency IT innovations for possible cuts.

People

NSPS transition office exceeding goals

The Department of Defense is ahead of schedule in transitioning most National Security Personnel System employees back to older pay systems.

Digital Government

At least it's over

Well, as expected, the Republicans have taken control of the House. And a number of Republican House members who have been talking tough over the past months about trimming government will be stepping into leadership positions when their party assumes majority status.

Digital Government

Telework bill promises to be a big step forward, experts say

H.R. 1722 will require federal agencies to set up telework plans as part of their continuity of operations procedures.

People

Army Corps of Engineers caught in web of political wrangling

The Army Corps of Engineers has tried numerous times to reorganize, but lawmakers don't want to risk potential job losses at home, according to corps officials.

Digital Government

DOD officials face Senate ire over budgetary measures

DOD officials were questioned over plans for trimming the defense budget, including closing the Joint Forces Command.

Digital Government

Ah, yes—statistics!

We all know the maxim (variously attributed to about six different people) that “there are lies, damned lies and statistics.”

Digital Government

Demonizing feds

Things didn’t get any better for feds this month out there in the world of public perception.

People

DOD's IG returns fire following scathing Senate report

Defense Department Inspector General Gordon Heddell responds to a report issued by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) that blames the IG's office for overlooking fraud and straying from its core mission.