FCW Insider: November 3, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Morale plunges at site of VA's new electronic health record
A survey conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs found plummeting morale at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center arising from the adoption of a new electronic health record system.
GSA addresses plans for FBI headquarters at House hearing
GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan told lawmakers she was in contact with FBI Director Chris Wray about ongoing plans to build new headquarters for the bureau after the years-long plan was scrapped by the previous administration.
Comment: Zero-trust has a branding problem
A zero-trust approach to cybersecurity is intended to increase vigilance and minimize risk, but without the necessary context, the concept could raise discomfort or even hostility among federal workers.
ICYMI: Details on discipline emerge as contractor vaccination deadline looms
Federal contracting firms will decide for themselves on how to manage employees who decline COVID-19 vaccinations but agencies can restrict unvaccinated workers from federal facilities.
Quick Hits
*** Another continuing resolution appears likely after the current stopgap funding bill expires on Dec. 3 – and Republicans are raising the prospect of a full-year continuing resolution for all of fiscal year 2022, carrying over the Trump administration's FY2021 spending package.
The chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees held a "four corners" meeting on Tuesday which ended without any agreement on topline defense and non-defense spending levels. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee said lawmakers were at an "impasse." Shelby said "a lot of people would like" a full year CR because such a measure would not include any new policy riders from the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate.
Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), the chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee said in a statement that "Republicans seem to want to drive us into a full year continuing resolution."
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said a full-year continuing resolution, "is an empty threat that undercuts both parties' priorities by depriving families, businesses, and communities of the certainty they need and making our country less safe."
*** The Federal Labor Relations Authority could be in line for new members soon. The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee will vote Wednesday on the nominations of Ernest DuBester and Susan Grundmann to serve as chair and member respectively, and Kurt Rumsfeld to serve as general counsel – a pivotal post at the agency in resolving unfair labor practice disputes. If approved in committee, the nominations proceed to the full Senate.