Digital Government

Despite President’s Comments, Transition Efforts Required By Law Are Underway

The Trump administration so far has met all of its requirements to prepare for the transition to a second term or a new president.

Digital Government

House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings

Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review. 

Digital Government

Pentagon Seeks Input from Workforce on Improving Diversity

The request is part of Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s overhaul of personnel practices.

Policy

Administration’s Decision to Halt Election Security Briefings Worries Many

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said that in an effort to prevent leaks, the intelligence community will no longer provide in-person briefings to Congress about threats, only written updates.

Digital Government

Bipartisan Bill Would Standardize Public Health Data and Bolster Sharing

The legislation would also establish a cross-agency working group for ongoing recommendations.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Ask Watchdog to Review New Coronavirus Data Reporting System Housed Within HHS 

“We are concerned that these reporting changes undermine the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts,” wrote top House Energy and Commerce Committee members. 

Digital Government

Court Dismisses Union’s Lawsuit Over Federal Employees’ Right to Talk ‘Impeachment’ and 'Resistance'  

Last year the American Federation of Government Employees sued the Office of Special Counsel over its Hatch Act guidance. 

Modernization

Expanded Telework Could Save Individual Feds $2.5K-$4K Annually

Lessons from the pandemic have big implications for federal offices and employees, lawmakers and experts say.

Digital Government

Pandemic Oversight Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker

The committee had stated in its first report that financial management could be a top challenge for agencies. 

Policy

Justice Department Advises Agencies on Continuing to Meet FOIA Requests During the Pandemic

Watchdogs and journalists have been using FOIA to shed light on the federal government’s coronavirus actions.

Digital Government

New Intelligence Chief Takes Over as Community Has Altered Work Operations for Pandemic

Telework, staggered schedules and use of new technology are some of the ways intelligence officials are keeping themselves and the information they gather safe. 

Artificial Intelligence

Sammie Finalists Highlight Outstanding Accomplishments of Federal Employees

Dr. Anthony Fauci is one of 27 career civil servants recognized in the Partnership for Public Service’s prestigious annual awards program.

Digital Government

House Approves Creation of a Select Panel to Oversee Pandemic-Related Spending and Response

Critics have said the committee will be duplicative, but one transparency expert said that "overlapping oversight jurisdictions can be a good thing if managed correctly."

Digital Government

White House Advises Agencies on COVID-19 Spending and Reporting

“Time is of the essence,” but “spending transparency and regular reporting will provide important accountability mechanisms to help safeguard taxpayer dollars,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a memo.