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Staffing shortages, attrition and low morale cause perpetually ongoing problems at every level of the Secret Service, said the Homeland Security Department's inspector general. The president's 2018 budget request calls for more funding and employees, but neither the IG nor members of Congress say it's enough to turn around the beleaguered agency.
Tammy Duchesne says sexual harassment is not just a problem at the National Park Service, but that doesn't mean the agency isn't addressing the issue with 100 percent effort.
President Donald Trump unveiled details about his plan to privatize air traffic control. Instead of the FAA handling all aspects of general aviation, a non-profit entity would handle shift service and "route efficiency," and leave safety to the federal government.
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin delivered his diagnosis of the department in a "State of the VA" briefing before reporters Wednesday morning. He outlined 13 areas where the department needs to improve and the legislative and administrative fixes it needs in order to see progress.
In today's Federal Newscast, data discovered by the Associated Press reveals the Veterans Affairs Department Office of Inspector General is looking into over 100 cases of employees accused of stealing drugs from VA Health facilities.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Inspector General in its FY 2017 management challenges report, said the agency needs to get a better handle on its workforce and workload, otherwise it's "unclear" whether the loss of personnel is really all that bad for the agency. Cybersecurity, and oversight of states, territories and tribal areas, are also issues facing the department.
The Merit Systems Protection Board is moving forward with a whistleblower case from James Wilson, the chief human capital officer for the Office of Special Counsel, who filed a whistleblower retaliation complaint against OSC. The agency plays a key role in investigating cases of whistleblower reprisal and protecting federal employees from prohibited personnel actions.
Lawmakers gave the Education Department's Office of Federal Student Aid a failing grade after reporting a combined $6 billion in improper payments, Agency officials said they are working toward better management and monitoring of student loan accounts.
Internal Revenue Service watchdogs say the agency could do more in terms of taxpayer services if it had more human and financial resources. The White House proposed a fiscal 2018 budget of $10.9 billion, a cut of roughly $300 million from 2017 funding levels.
The Senate is tied up with the 2018 budget and probing whether Russia influenced the 2016 election. But members still remain interested in the Veterans Affairs Department. The committee is marking up the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. If enacted, this bill could help the department attract the talent management says it needs. Kristine Simmons, vice president of government affairs at the Partnership for Public Service, joins Federal Drive with Tom Temin with more.
Dr. Matthew D. Harris, an associate adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, argues reducing the number of smaller OIGs will enhance the overall independence and effectiveness of the IG community.
Reducing the improper payment rate and making better IT acquisition decisions are among the Government Accountability Office's top suggestions to find ways to run the government for less. Agencies shoulder much of the work, but Congress also has its role to play.
At the Interior Department, the Bureau of Land Management has discretion to grant exceptions to the rules for oil and gas drilling on federal land. Frank Rusco, director of natural and environment issues at the Government Accountability Office, tells Federal Drive with Tom Temin it's impossible to tell how often the agency does so because it doesn't keep track.
The Environmental Protection Agency's CFO said offices should continue to follow April 2017 hiring guidance, while the agency prepares its FY2017 enacted operating plan for Congress.