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.
Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin
CIO Briefing

Trump Fires Shulkin, Taps Personal Physician Ronny Jackson to Lead VA

While a leadership change at the Veterans Affairs Department had been predicted, the nomination of Jackson surprised many.

  • By Eric Katz
Policy

After Threatening Veto, Trump Signs $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

President says military funding boost convinced him to sign the omnibus measure.

  • By Eric Katz
Policy

Trump Reignites Shutdown Possibility With Spending Bill Veto Threat

A veto would almost certainly lead to agencies shuttering come midnight.

  • By Eric Katz
Policy

With Shutdown Days Away, Lawmakers Unveil Massive Federal Spending Bill

Congress must approve funding by Friday to keep agencies across government operating.

  • By Eric Katz
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Policy

After Last-Minute Drama, Congress Passes a Government Funding Bill

After a short “technical” shutdown, Congress early Friday passed a measure that would raise spending levels by $300 billion over the next two years.

  • By Katherine McIntire Peters and Eric Katz
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Policy

Senate Leaders Announce Two-Year Budget Deal to Boost Spending by $300 Billion

Schumer says agreement will send sequester caps to "ash heaps of history."

  • By Eric Katz
CIO Briefing

White House Says All Feds Should Expect to Return to Work Tuesday

Three-day shutdown only led to a half-day furlough for most non-excepted feds.

  • By Eric Katz
Policy

Senate Sends Bill to Reopen Government to the House

Government shutdown expected to end just hours after agencies sent employees home.

  • By Eric Katz
CIO Briefing

Government Shuts Down After Senate Rejects One-Month Stopgap Spending Bill

Lawmakers did not come up with an alternate plan in time for the midnight deadline.

  • By Eric Katz
A U.S. Park Police officer watches at left as a National Park Service employee posts a sign on a barricade closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. A U.S. Park Police officer watches at left as a National Park Service employee posts a sign on a barricade closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.
Policy

UPDATED: See Who Gets Sent Home in a Shutdown

Some agencies would furlough virtually everyone, while others would remain completely open if there is a lapse in appropriations.

  • By Eric Katz
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis
Policy

Republicans Rally Ranks for Month-Long Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he is hopeful "cool heads" will prevent agencies from closing.

  • By Eric Katz
CIO Briefing

Feds Avoid Shutdown, But Larger Threat Looms in the New Year

Cuts to federal employees' pay and benefits could serve to offset funding boosts in a spending deal.

  • By Eric Katz
Policy

Trump Signs Measure Delaying the Shutdown Threat Until January

Democrats did not support the continuing resolution.

  • By Eric Katz
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Policy

IG Cites Homeland Security for Abusing Its Power, Blocking Negative Report

One audit finds Trump administration violated court orders when enforcing its initial travel ban.

  • By Eric Katz
Kirstjen Nielsen, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Kirstjen Nielsen, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security.
CIO Briefing

House Votes to Ensure Lawmakers Can Oversee Homeland Security Reorganization

DHS condemns measure that would revoke secretary’s authority to make reforms unilaterally.

  • By Eric Katz
The National Museum of the American Indian is closed due to the government shutdown on October 4, 2013 in New York. The National Museum of the American Indian is closed due to the government shutdown on October 4, 2013 in New York.
News

Contractors Begin Early Shutdown Preparations

Agencies will be forced to shutter their doors on Oct. 1 if Congress fails to pass a spending bill to set agency funding for fiscal 2018.

  • By Eric Katz
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin
CIO Briefing

Veterans Affairs to Adopt Same Commercial Health Records Platform as DOD

Secretary David Shulkin said there was a public interest exception in skipping a full and open competition.

  • By Frank Konkel and Eric Katz
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, right, confers with the committee's ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, right, confers with the committee's ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md.
IT Modernization

House Oversight Leaders to Trump: Stop Deleting Tweets

Chaffetz, Cummings say president and staff may be violating records retention laws.

  • By Eric Katz
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.
Cybersecurity

Fewer OPM Hack Victims Must Re-Enroll in Protection Services Than Originally Estimated

Lawmakers express concern provider transition "may create confusion."

  • By Eric Katz
Cybersecurity

As Many as 150K OPM Hack Victims Must Re-Enroll to Keep Protection Services

OPM is switching benefit providers after initial contract expires.

  • By Eric Katz