People
Feds rally against shutdown as missed paychecks loom
With feds on furlough or working without pay face the prospect of a missed paycheck, President Trump signaled a long shutdown by cancelling his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 22.
People
Shutdown heads into day 20 with no end in sight
President Trump and congressional Democrats continued their impasse over funding the government, with Trump stalking out of a meeting with Democratic leaders at the White House and Dems saying their "path forward" requires reopening shuttered agencies.
Acquisition
Shutdown entering uncharted waters, with impacts on 2020 budgeting
Furloughs and unpaid work have "a rotting effect on morale," said one former agency CFO. "That is an overarching concern in reopening after a shutdown of significant length – and I think we're at that point now."
People
Democrats to offer four bills to reopen much of government
On day 18 of the partial government shutdown, Majority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) unveiled the House Democrats' plan to reopen government, calling the need to end the shutdown a top priority.
People
Senate Dems could block bills as feds are impacted by shutdown
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a group of federal employees detailed the impact of the shutdown, calling for the Senate to pass funding bills and protections for federal employees.
Acquisition
What to expect from Shanahan's DOD
The leadership personnel shuffle at the Pentagon has outside observers focused on budget, acquisition and business reforms.
Cybersecurity
Shutdown hits CISA's transition
The Department of Homeland Security's nascent cybersecurity agency is short-staffed during a key growth year.
People
Trump now expects 'serious talks' on shutdown
The president told reporters on Jan. 6 that he "can relate" to federal workers who are working without pay or furloughed and may miss at least one paycheck as a result of an ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government.
Cybersecurity
Shutdown could last 'years,' Trump says
The safety net for federal workers on the job without pay or furloughs is "having a strong border" the president said in a Jan. 4 news conference.
Modernization
Kilmer named to chair House modernization panel
A new House select committee will be charged with examining how to modernize outdated technology and procedures.
People
Back to the future: Shutdowns and the next generation of feds
In 2013 during another shutdown, FCW took a look at how the prospect of furloughs and unpaid work were affecting the morale of students planning careers in the federal government.
People
Trump nixes planned pay raise for feds
With shutdown talks at an impasse, the White House finalized plans to freeze federal pay at 2018 levels.
Acquisition
What's in store for rank-and-file feds and managers in 2019?
A change in the political control of the House of Representatives could mean more leverage for federal unions and a focus on workforce policies that both sides of the aisle can support.
People
Trump asks agencies to look for wall funding
White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said at her afternoon briefing that the president had tasked agency heads with finding money that can be reprogrammed for the wall as part of a possible plan to pass appropriations bills and avoid a partial government shutdown.
People
DOD on track to take on background checks ahead of White House order
The Pentagon is readying to absorb the National Background Investigations Bureau ahead of an anticipated executive order.
People
Agencies take a beating in 2018 Best Places to Work report
The federal government generally looks like a less enjoyable place to work than it did a year ago, and a dearth of effective leadership gets most of the blame.
Acquisition
CBP's $297M HR systems contract yields just two hires
In a management alert, the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General found that a year-old human resources system contract is CBP's almost $300 million hiring contract is seriously challenged by performance and technology issues, according to the DHS Inspector General.
People
Top Oversight Dem urges OSC to rescind 'resistance' memo
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wants the Office of Special Counsel to rescind a memorandum cautioning feds against "resistance" and impeachment talk in the workplace.
Cybersecurity
Why user buy-in is the key to blockchain success
An organization can't put a blockchain vision in motion unless employees understand and buy into the impact it will have on them, the entire organization and its business processes
People