Chris Murphy

FILE - This May 25, 2021, file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. Americans hoping to travel abroad this summer may have to delay their plans if they need new or renewed passports. The State Department said Wednesday that the wait for a passport is now between 12 weeks and 18 weeks, even if you pay for expedited processing. That’s because of ripple effects from the coronavirus pandemic that caused extreme disruptions to the process at domestic issuance facilities and overseas embassies and consulates. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman, File)

State Dept. staffing surge won’t address passport backlog overnight, union warns

Lawmakers are pressing the State Department to move more aggressively to address a backlog of as many as 2 million pending passport applications.

Hiring/Retention

(AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)

Lawmakers ask FEMA how to avoid future communication breakdowns during disasters

Management

(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

federal employees teleworking overseas

State Dept adds 1,200 to Foreign Service ranks under Democrats’ $12B budget plan

Budget

VA found a fast solution to its growing call center wait-time problem

Ask the CIO

This combination of photos shows Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on June 24, 2019 and Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, in Washington, on Sept. 13, 2018. Cybersecurity experts said Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, there are many questions still unanswered from an investigation commissioned by Bezos that said the billionaire's phone was hacked, apparently after receiving a video file with malicious spyware from the WhatsApp account of the crown prince. (AP Photo)

Senator asks intelligence community to look into Jeff Bezos phone hacking

Federal Newscast

Comptroller General Gene Dodaro/AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta

GAO wants to build capacity to focus on science and technology, cybersecurity

Congress

Trump administration puts (buy) America first

Generals warn about cuts to State Dept. budget; senator pushes to double it

DoD Reporter's Notebook

Linda McMahon, Chris Murphy

WWE’s McMahon still standing after positive confirmation hearing for SBA role

Management

Army: 73 soldiers may have been improperly sent home with TBI, PTSD

DoD Reporter's Notebook