Author Archive
Eric Katz
Senior Correspondent

Eric Katz writes about federal agency operations and management. His deep coverage of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Postal Service has earned him frequent guest spots on national radio and television news programs. Eric joined Government Executive in the summer of 2012 and previously worked for The Financial Times. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.
CXO Briefing
Hiring, Body Cams, EVs for Feds and Other Takeaways From House Democrats’ 2023 Spending Priorities
Democrats differed from the president in some key respects in their initial fiscal 2023 funding bills.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
FEMA Chief Says Her Top Priority Is to Ensure Agency Has Adequate Staffing for Upcoming Emergencies
Employees and managers alike continue to warn lawmakers about the impact that growing demands will have on the agency's ability to respond to disasters.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
A New Law Will Make It Harder to Escape Investigation By Leaving Federal Service
The measure will allow the Veterans Affairs Department IG to subpoena former feds and contractors.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
VA Launches Competition to Boost Gun Safety, Other Suicide Prevention Ideas
Winners of the "marketplace for innovation" will receive $3 million.
- By Eric Katz
Policy
The House Backs a Bid to Launch New Federal Offices Focused on Domestic Terrorism and Rooting Out Extremism in Government
The measure's future beyond the House is unclear as Republicans decry bureaucracy and federal overreach.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
As Turnover Soars, Most VA Employees Say They Were Not Emotionally Supported During the Pandemic
Front-line staff were largely unaware of VA's offerings to support employee well-being, new survey finds.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Republican Senators Have a Plan to Fix the ‘Dysfunctional’ Federal Hiring Process
Lawmakers aim to allow agencies to bring new employees on more quickly.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Opponents to Appeal the Fed Vaccine Mandate as the Biden Administration Pushes Court to Allow Immediate Suspensions
An appeals court struck down an injunction on the federal employee vaccine requirement, but it is not set to take effect for six weeks.
- By Eric Katz
Policy
Appeals Court Reinstates Biden's Vaccine Mandate for Federal Employees
Agencies will soon be able to start punishing unvaccinated workers.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
USPS Could Serve Nearly All Its Mail Routes in Electric Vehicles, a Watchdog Says
IG says it will probe contract to buy mostly internal combustion engine vans and trucks.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Sweeping Spending Increases Are Set to Become Law With the Senate's Approval of a $1.5T Omnibus Package
Domestic agencies will see a collective 6.7% budget increase as lawmakers avoid shutdown.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Here Are 10 Major Takeaways From the $1.5 Trillion Omnibus Spending Bill
See which agencies are getting the biggest funding increases, hiring orders and new policy initiatives.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
The White House Has Details on Its Plan to Bring More Feds Back in April
Agencies across government will take on new responsibilities and offer more in-person services under Biden's new COVID-19 preparedness plan.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Back to the Office for Feds, Biden Says
The president lays out new tasks for agencies in his address, along with ideas for where that work should take place.
- By Eric Katz
Policy
The Senate Sidesteps Obstacles to Pass a 3-Week Shutdown-Averting Stopgap Spending Measure
Lawmakers hope to pass full-year appropriations by March 11.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Congress Is Heading Toward Yet Another Stopgap Spending Bill This Week to Avoid a Shutdown
A short-term measure will allow appropriators to get over the finish line on full-year spending, top House Democrat says.
- By Eric Katz
Policy
Federal Court Issues Nationwide Pause on Biden's Federal Employee Vaccine Mandate
The Biden administration has already filed an appeal on the injunction.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
White House Charts Course for Better Protections of Civil Servant Scientists
New report calls for improved policies prohibiting interference and clearer punishments for those who meddle in scientific work.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
Some Agencies Report 100% Vaccine Mandate Compliance as Others Begin Suspensions
Agencies continue to see vaccination rates rise as disciplinary actions ramp up.
- By Eric Katz
CXO Briefing
‘Sheer Madness:’ Agencies Scramble to Implement New Policies for COVID-Positive Employees
With staffing shortages arriving or anticipated, agencies look to adapt their quarantine and isolation guidelines.
- By Eric Katz