Chris Van Hollen

Several members of Congress have declared the President’s proposed cuts to federal employee retirement “dead on arrival,” while at least one Republican has expressed more of an interest in developing a new system for prospective employees.

In today’s Federal Newscast, a group of nearly 40 senators are urging the appropriations committee to include back pay for federal contractors impacted by the last government shutdown, in an upcoming disaster relief package.

The Congressional Budget Office said current use of overseas contingency operations (OCO) funds to pay for enduring costs can distort the DoD’s long-term budget planning.

In today’s Federal Newscast, the Congressional Budget Office takes a look at just how much it will cost for the Defense Department to go through with all of its plans for the near future.

A 1.9 percent pay raise looks more likely for federal employees in 2019, as lawmakers finalize a spending package designed to avoid another government shutdown.

The House is set to clear a 2.6 percent federal pay raise for civilian employees this year. The Senate already has a companion of the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Fairness Act.

In today’s Federal Newscast, Senate Democrats have brought forth a companion to a new bill from House Democratic leaders, which calls for giving civilian federal employees a 2.6 percent pay raise.

President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday afternoon that guarantees back pay for federal employees impacted by the partial government shutdown.

In today’s Federal Newscast, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is asking the Office of Personnel Management how it’s making sure federal employees furloughed due to the government shutdown are still receiving healthcare coverage.

The IRS’s decision to begin this year’s tax filing season on time, and to start issuing tax refunds despite a partial government shutdown, appears legally sound, according to former government officials, but raises logistical questions from lawmakers and current agency employees.