People

How much will federal pension cuts save?

President Trump's 2018 budget proposal includes billions in savings from cuts to federal employee retirement benefits. Does the math work?

Digital Government

VA telehealth expansion needs boost from Congress

The White House and Veterans Affairs chief are pushing for expanded telehealth, but the department may need some legislative help to get there.

People

OPM offers flex for Harvey hiring

The Office of Personnel Management reminded agencies that there are exceptions in place to fast-track hiring of critical need positions, despite the federal hiring slowdown.

Digital Government

Can Congress save the 2020 census?

As the Census Bureau has had to cancel or suspend programs to cope with budgetary constraints, Congress is going to have to ramp up funding and oversight down the home stretch to avoid a failed count.

Cybersecurity

Can reorg plans get agencies off the high-risk list?

As agencies continue preparations to submit their reorganization plans, many also have to reckon with their places on the Government Accountability Office's high-risk list.

Digital Government

White House details 2019 R&D priorities

The administration is directing agencies to lean more on the private sector and to tilt their future research and development priorities -- and dollars -- toward defense technologies, border security, economic growth, efficient health care and low-cost energy sources.

People

Oversight chairs probe political activities of feds

The chairs of two congressional oversight committees want answers about agencies' policies on granting unpaid leave requests to employees for campaign activity.

Digital Government

Should robots kill?

Over 100 robotics and artificial intelligence experts worldwide warned the United Nations about a future of war that includes autonomous killing machines.

Cybersecurity

Expanding the cyber talent pool

Attracting younger and more diverse talent to fill the growing federal cybersecurity skills gap requires outreach from agencies as well as some prompting from Congress.

Digital Government

Census walks back tech solution to population count

The Census Bureau expects to nearly double the number of in-person household visits -- and in turn, the total burden hours -- during its critical dress rehearsal test.

People

What's next for agency reorg plans?

As agencies wrap up their reorganization plans, successful reforms will prioritize mission delivery over simply slashing the workforce -- but proposed budget cuts and leadership vacancies pose additional challenges.

Digital Government

VA's legacy systems aren't ready for the Data Act

A just-released oversight report reveals that the legacy systems at the Department of Veterans Affairs aren't ready to support many Data Act requirements.

Digital Government

Amid DHS leadership shuffle, voting systems remain vulnerable

Continued resistance from state officials and some members of Congress is also an issue, says a former DHS chief.

Digital Government

SSA expands customer-service systems

The Social Security Administration is building out a new electronic records system, a major initiative of its long-term plan to modernize and improve customer service.

Acquisition

Why the FBI relo went off the rails

The government burned tens of millions of dollars on a stalled effort to move the FBI out of its downtown D.C. headquarters.

Cybersecurity

Should NSA and CyberCom split? A watchdog weighs in

The Government Accountability Office teamed up with Pentagon officials to identify the advantages and disadvantages of the dual-hat leadership structure of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Cybersecurity

Can government help fight the war on botnets?

As the number of internet-connected devices increases, along with the threat of botnets and potential attacks, the role of government should not be solely focused on prescribing new legal mandates.

Digital Government

Why OMB needs to lead on reducing federal SSN use

The government's effort to reduce its reliance on social security numbers lacks central guidance, according to a recent oversight report.

People

Former OGE chief keeps up campaign for strong ethics

Just because Walter Shaub resigned from his post as chief of the Office of Government Ethics doesn’t mean he’s done pushing for a stronger ethics program.

Digital Government

Can agencies build greater trust in the FOIA process?

Agency officials hope that technology can help automate practices to make the government more transparent -- but they first need to improve the practices themselves.