Cybersecurity

CIA nominee: Cyber threats are 'ever greater risk' for U.S. society

William Burns, the president's nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, said the SolarWinds attack was a "harsh wake-up call" about the country’s vulnerabilities in both critical infrastructure and supply chains.

People

Shaping post-Trump workforce policy

Democrats in Congress are considering legislation on multiple workforce fronts, including the issue of limiting the president's authority to remake the civil service via executive order.

People

Kiran Ahuja tapped to lead OPM

The former Office of Personnel Management chief of staff is slated to return to lead the federal government's human resources agency.

Digital Government

Who cares if you wear a hoodie or a suit? It’s the mission that matters most

Responding to Steve Kelman's recent blog post, Alan Thomas shares the inside story on 18F's evolution.

People

AFGE looks to maximize two years of Democratic control on Capitol Hill

Although workplace safety is top of mind, the American Federation of Government Employees wants Congress to pursue action beyond the reversal of Trump workforce policies.

People

Lawmakers press OPM, CDC for vaccine allocations for federal employees

A group of Capital region Democrats want the Office of Personnel Management and the Centers for Disease Control to make the inoculation of federal employees a federal process.

People

Could Schedule F ever come back?

As it stands, future presidents could re-create Schedule F with more exemptions from the civil service, a power that the courts and the Congress have the power to change.

People

House COVID package includes 600 hours paid leave for feds

A provision from the House Oversight and Reform Committee would give feds 600 hours – or 15 weeks – of emergency paid leave to recover from COVID-19 or manage dependents whose care has been upended by the health crisis.

People

FLRA defends Trump-era rule on revoking union fees

The Federal Labor Relations Authority is defending a 2020 rule in a union lawsuit – a rule opposed by the official now temporarily in charge of the agency.

People

DOD orders leaders to address extremism

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directs commanding officers and supervisors to hold a "stand down" discussion on extremism in the next 60 days.

Cybersecurity

House Dems look to expand TSA screeners' workplace protections

The bill would move all TSA employees into Title 5 of the U.S. Code, with pay conforming to the general schedule and collective bargaining rights.

Digital Government

Labor nominee says that unemployment tech needs to be updated

Lawmakers are looking to President Biden's Labor Secretary nominee Marty Walsh for help on modernizing unemployment insurance delivery, worker safety and stimulating growth in STEM jobs.

Cybersecurity

Space Force begins onboarding cyber specialists

The U.S. Space Force has begun transferring more than a thousand cyber professionals into its ranks as of Feb. 1 with plans to start recruiting talent for multiple career fields from across the military branches this year.

People

Small drones, training could be standard issue for service members

The Defense Department is planning to incorporate drone training for every service member as part of its counter small unmanned aerial systems strategy.

Acquisition

Labor secretary nominee comes with a long record on union issues, contracting oversight

During his time as mayor, Marty Walsh pursued actions to increase the amount of minority-, women- and veteran-owned contractors in Boston.

People

Biden clears out Trump's FSIP appointees

Federal employee groups and unions had requested that Biden remove the panel's members.

People

Navy report looks to combat racism and sexism in the ranks

The Navy's Task Force One Navy report looks to STEM training, recruitment, grooming policies as paths to encourage diversity and inclusion.

Modernization

Agencies feel IT staff shortages from Trump administration hiring freezes

Trump administration hiring freezes have been causing a strain on federal agencies trying to cope with the demands put on IT staff because of telework.

People

New bill looks to close retirement loophole for injured federal first responders

Sponsors say the legislation is needed to allow federal first responders to access their retirement benefits if they are injured on the job.

People

Paid family and medical leave for feds in new House bill

House Democrats are looking to extend federal employee benefits with new legislation.