Former federal executives say taking care of employees' emotional highs and lows during the preparation for a government shutdown is just as important as the operational aspects of contingency planning.
The threat of a federal government shutdown ended late Saturday night after Congress approved a temporary funding bill to keep federal agencies open until Nov. 17. The bill passed just hours before the midnight deadline and President Joe Biden quickly signed it. He called it “good news for the American people.” The package drops aid for Ukraine but adds money for U.S. disaster assistance. House approval came after Speaker Kevin McCarthy abandoned plans for steep spending cuts and relied on Democratic help. Biden said he expects McCarthy to keep “his commitment” to the Ukrainian people and push for aid “at this critical moment” in the war with Russia.
"The employees are upset that they're going into this again." Staff at TSA and other DHS components are preparing to go to work without pay."
The Environmental Protection Agency is telling its employees to still report to work next week — even if Congress triggers a government shutdown over the weekend.
A recent audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), looked how the IRS deals with threats ad physical harm against IRS agents. Federal Drive Executive Producer Eric White spoke with Kent Sagara, who is the Acting Manager of TIGTA's Office of Inspections and Evaluations.
The new center will focus on both setting security standards and ensuring U.S. advances in AI aren't stolen by foreign adversaries.
The IRS is planning to furlough most of its employees, if lawmakers don’t avert a government shutdown by the end of the week.
Cynics see a federal government shutdown as a paid vacation for federal employees, at least those forced into furlough. For the most part, you can actually take paid, approved leave during a shutdown.
The departments of Commerce and Homeland Security are among the agencies that emailed employees today telling them a government shutdown was expected and they should plan accordingly.
Many respondents to Federal News Network’s poll said they’re also worried about the long-term negative impacts that a government shutdown poses.
How often have you heard it said: The census count determines how much federal money a state, county or city will get. Data analysis by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) shows that supposition is not quite as simple as it sounds. For more, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with POGO senior policy analyst Sean Moulton.
It didn't last very long, but scientists at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) did run a test that resulted in nuclear fusion late last year. Fusion means the reaction put out more energy than the input to produce it.
In today's Federal Newscast: Homeland Security Committee Republicans want to block funding for a new panel of intelligence advisers that includes Clapper and Brennan. OMB updates FAQs that help agencies prepare for government shutdowns. And will a change in the fiscal calendar help eliminated future government-shutdown threats? Sen. Kaine (D-Va.) thinks so.
Service members at all 10 installations the Government Accountability Office visited said their living conditions were poor enough to take a toll on their mental health. Auditors found widespread problems like mold, nonexistent air conditioning, and concerns about crime because of broken locks, windows and security cameras.
The Senate is marching ahead with a bipartisan approach to prevent a government shutdown. But on the House side, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is back to square one. The Republican leader laid out his strategy Wednesday behind closed doors. He asked hard-right Republicans to do what they've said they'd never do, and pass their own temporary measure to keep the government open. A House test vote is set for Friday, one day before the shutdown deadline. Their plan would cut spending by 8% and toughen border security. The Senate bill would fund the government, adding $6 billion for Ukraine aid and $6 billion for U.S. disaster relief.