People

Culture, leadership are keys to continuing DOD telework post-COVID

Peter Ranks, the Defense Department's deputy chief information officer for information enterprise, said continued leadership on flexible telework policies were needed to create a "new normal."

People

Senate passes 2021 NDAA with veto-proof majority

The Senate passed its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act and the bill now heads to conference.

People

OPM stonewalls probe of hiring practices, watchdog says

The Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management says the agency is not cooperating with a look at potential civil service law violations.

Cybersecurity

CISA hires cyber risk experts to meet emerging threats

The Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity and infrastructure arm hires experts to help understand shifting cyber threats in the pandemic.

People

Bill to modernize Plum Book clears Senate committee

The measure looks to require more frequent updates of the directory of political appointees.

People

House-passed NDAA expands paid leave benefit to excluded feds

Title 38 employees, such as workers at the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Federal Aviation Administration were not included in the bill that established the benefit.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers ask DHS leaders to postpone USCIS furloughs

The immigration agency is now set to end FY2020 with surplus, and two Senate appropriators are asking for a pause on furloughs while Congress negotiates supplemental funding to offset 2021 shortfalls.

People

Trump to nominate new OPM head

The candidate to serve as the nation's top human resources official has a background in computer science and software development, and a controversial record as a conservative commentator.

People

Sen. Peters: Agencies should publicly share reopening plans

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's ranking Democrat joins union officials and House lawmakers in asking for transparency.

People

Army stands up its first software factory

Army Futures Command announced it has launched its first software factory at its headquarters in Austin, Texas. The entity is expected to hit initial operating capacity in early 2021.

Cybersecurity

House Appropriators pass DHS funding bill

Passage comes a day after union leaders warn about impacts of looming USCIS furloughs.

People

House members push 3% pay raise for civilian federal workers

Citing pay parity and COVID-19 resiliency, lawmakers urge Appropriations Committee to rethink planned 1% increase.

People

FLRA finalizes rule to allow feds to opt-out of paying union dues

Unions blast decision to allow workers to discontinue their payments at outside the traditional annual "window."

Cybersecurity

Help Wanted: Biden campaign hiring cyber professionals

The campaign has put out job notices for a cyber threat analyst and cloud security architect as it looks to beef up protections ahead of the 2020 elections.

People

House appropriators put protections for federal workers into FY21 funding bill

Provisions would block the OPM-GSA merger and empower unions, but the bill does not touch on pay raises.

People

House leaders push back against proposed FY21 spending cuts

Appropriators hope to beef up staffing, modernize operations and remove Confederate symbols from the Capitol.

People

VA secretary touts department's telework, telehealth efforts

Secretary Robert Wilkie also discussed the electronic health care records rollout and VA's need to pay more for certain essential hires.

People

Biden promises to undo Trump’s workforce policies

Democratic candidate pledges to appropriate permanent funding to feds in case of another shutdown.

People

Former AFGE chief and union sued over abuse allegations

Plaintiffs ask for compensation and punishment, federal monitor to reform union.