Author Archive

Eric Katz

Senior Correspondent

Eric Katz
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.
People

‘No practical use': TSA experts say Trump’s ICE deployments won’t help with airport security

More than 400 TSA employees have left the agency since the shutdown began last month, White House says.

Exclusive Digital Government

Inside DOGE’s early days of pressure campaigns, rule breaking and ‘chaos’

Twenty-three hours of court testimony offer a rare glimpse into the Trump cost-cutting group that officials say “felt more like a club” than the agencies they were breaking.

Updated People

Trump to fire DHS Secretary Noem, selects Mullin as successor

The controversial Homeland Security leader will end her tenure amid a budget shutdown of her agency and following bipartisan criticism in both houses of Congress.

Digital Government

VA doesn't know how many calls it's answering or how long veterans are waiting to get through

The department's failure to track call data is putting "veterans who may need timely and critical care at risk," the inspector general finds.

People

Social Security is directing employees who normally process benefits to answer phones instead

After shedding thousands of employees, SSA is reassigning workers amid fears the moves will cause backlogs to grow.

Policy

Partial shutdown ends less than 4 days after it began

Nearly every federal agency is now funded through September and employees will be paid for the days they were furloughed.

Policy

Shutdown deal struck after failed Senate vote

Senate Democrats and the White House reached an agreement late Thursday to fund most departments and agencies through Sept. 30 after a previous funding bill was blocked.

People

Man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents was a federal employee at VA

The intensive care unit nurse was 37. His death could have widespread implications for federal operations.

People

GSA backs off planned layoffs within its technology team after court order

The Technology Transformation Services has lost 67% of its staff since Jan. 25.

People

Air traffic controllers calling out sick during shutdown may have acted illegally, FAA chief says

Agency will “ask tough questions” of those workers even as administrator concedes agency has “a retention issue” among controllers.

Breaking News Digital Government

Government to reopen after House votes to end longest-ever shutdown

Many furloughed workers, who will receive backpay, were already told Wednesday to report to work the following day for the first time in nearly six weeks.

Breaking News Digital Government

Senate moves shutdown-ending deal that would ensure backpay and unwind some federal layoffs

A bipartisan agreement to end the longest-ever government shutdown, would fund some agencies through fiscal 2026 and the rest through January, and guarantee backpay for furloughed workers.

Policy

‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown

The funding lapse is set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.

People

Shutdown furloughs will permanently cost the economy at least $7 billion, CBO says

Unlike most of the shutdown's economic impacts, the lost productivity from feds not working cannot be reversed.

Breaking News People

Shutdown layoffs indefinitely blocked following new court injunction

Trump administration attorney says guarantee of back pay justifies issuing widespread reductions in force, but judge finds the layoffs unlawful.