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.
People
Mullin confirmed to lead DHS as shutdown drags on and 100,000 employees remain unpaid
Trump's new DHS chief promises some reforms and renewed staffing efforts.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz and Natalie Alms
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
Exclusive
Digital Government
‘Suicide is only one option': Social Security staff newly assigned to phone duties raise concerns over training
Experts and SSA employees question wisdom of telling callers in crisis that suicide is an option.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz and Natalie Alms
People
'Setting this agency up for failure': Amid staffing crunch, IRS taps employees with no relevant experience to assist during filing season
The tax agency is taking unusual steps to prepare for its busy season after watchdog finds it is severely underprepared.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
Featured eBooks
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.
- By Natalie Alms and Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
People
Employees are receiving renewed furlough notices as shutdown enters second month, this time without back pay guarantees
The shutdown is heading into November, sparking new, altered furlough notices to 650,000 employees.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
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.
- By Eric Katz
People
‘I have no idea what I’m going to do:’ Feds abroad fret about making rent without pay or subsidies during shutdown
Some employees say their foreign landlords have little sympathy for their “U.S. issue.”
- By Eric Katz