Workforce
Young people think federal jobs are beneficial, but don't want them
There's a youth hiring problem in the federal government, but solutions are elusive, according to the Partnership for Public Service.
Pay & Benefits
Exposed to Agent Orange at U.S. bases, veterans face cancer without VA compensation
Mounting evidence shows that as far back as the 1950s, in an effort to kill the ubiquitous poison oak and other weeds at Fort Ord, the military experimented with and sprayed the powerful herbicide combination known colloquially as Agent Orange.
Tech
DHS launches new AI safety and security board
The board will be made up of 22 representatives from private sector, government and academia and will advise Secretary Mayorkas on risk mitigation for AI in critical infrastructure.
Tech
VA is warning veterans about Change Healthcare cyberattack, secretary says
“There’s no confirmation yet” that veterans’ data was leaked by the ransomware attack, according to the VA secretary, but the department is proactively alerting millions of veterans and beneficiaries to be safe.
Sponsor Content
GovExec TV: Five Questions with Kurt Steege
Tech
IRS considers the future of its Direct File pilot
The agency hasn’t decided if it’ll field the program long term but does say that user feedback of the tool has largely been positive.
Pay & Benefits
OPM reminds agencies of pay provisions in 2024 NDAA
The most recent iteration of the annual defense policy bill extends a number of temporary pay and benefits provisions for both civilian and military service members and allows veteran feds to credit active duty service toward paid parental leave requirements.
Workforce
USPS is getting better at hiring, but half of non-career postings still have no applicants
Postal management rejects inspector general findings and says it has encountered few workforce challenges.
Sponsor Content
Innovate with Lumen for public administration agencies
Take advantage of the full range of capabilities needed for success in a digital-first business landscape, delivered in a simple platform approach.
Tech
Bipartisan bill seeks to grow NASA program using drones to fight wildfires
New legislation attempts to improve NASA’s Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response to Operations program so firefighters can more effectively use drones.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Management
OPM guidance details when agencies can ask about applicants' criminal history
Though the federal government had already implemented a form of “ban the box” administratively, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act necessitated an update of the policy.
Pay & Benefits
Postponing retirement problems: Part 2
Federal law trumps what might seem to make the most sense.
Workforce
Under-resourced FEMA would see new commitment to growing workforce under bipartisan bill
The agency has struggled to keep pace with new and increased demands.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
APR 26 CLOSE
$18.2074
$18.6272
$79.8499
$78.2895
$41.4755
DAILY CHANGE
0.0021
0.0495
0.8078
0.6078
0.2070
THIS MONTH (%)
0.31
-2.37
-2.87
-5.02
-2.58
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
APR 26 CLOSE
$15.8877
$31.8699
$53.1369
$46.7780
$25.4284
DAILY CHANGE
0.1262
0.2154
0.3172
0.2349
0.0585
THIS MONTH (%)
-3.04
-2.64
-2.29
-1.87
-0.70
FUND
APR 26
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.2074
0.0021
0.31
F
$18.6272
0.0495
-2.37
C
$79.8499
0.8078
-2.87
S
$78.2895
0.6078
-5.02
I
$41.4755
0.2070
-2.58
L 2050
$31.8699
0.2154
-2.64
L 2040
$53.1369
0.3172
-2.29
L 2030
$46.7780
0.2349
-1.87
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$25.4284
0.0585
-0.70
Management
House panel advances bill to make federal contracting easier to understand
The Plain Language in Contracting Act would require agencies to use easy-to-understand language for certain procurement notices pertaining to small businesses.
Management
Senators call on postal board to abandon DeJoy’s USPS reforms
The overhaul is harming the Postal Service, Democrats say, though postal leadership says it just needs more time.
Oversight
New bill would establish an IG for the Supreme Court
The Judicial Ethics Enforcement Act calls for a new inspector general’s office to investigate alleged misconduct and prevent waste, fraud and abuse across the judicial branch.
Workforce
Can Biden’s new jobs program to fight climate change attract women and people of color?
The American Climate Corps program aims to recruit a diverse workforce. But it will face challenges including low pay, the need for child care, and historic discrimination against women in the trades.
Management
Bipartisan group looks to push IRS towards simpler math error notices
The IRS MATH Act would require the tax agency to send more specific, straightforward notices when it corrects simple math errors on tax returns.
Pay & Benefits
Are High Deductible Health Plans the right FEHB plan for you?
For most federal employees, HDHPs will be the cheapest FEHB plan type. Here’s how they work.
Workforce
VA employee discipline back in the spotlight as lawmakers move new bills
Another measure would provide VA managers with more training on disciplining employees.
Pay & Benefits
Congressional Dems urge OPM to fully cover IVF in feds’ insurance program
More than 175 Democratic lawmakers said the federal government must do more to protect access to health services like in-vitro fertilization in light of a recent Alabama court ruling that effectively banned the procedure alongside abortion services.
Tech
Federal CIO defends Login security after health agency dropped it from grantee system
Clare Martorana doubled down on Login’s capabilities, saying the government “needs to continue to rely” on the tool.
Management
New rule cements sustainability mandate for federal buyers
A new update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation is meant to help the government meet goals for net-zero procurement by 2050.
Management
Biden signs extension of controversial spying program into 2026
The Section 702 authorities were reauthorized without the addition of a warrant requirement to review the communications of Americans caught up in foreign surveillance.
Workforce