John Sarbanes

A coalition of House Democrats from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia are calling on congressional leadership to change course on the president’s proposed federal pay freeze.

Following the recent rollback of telework agreements at the Education and Agriculture departments, two D.C.-area lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at protecting and expanding existing agency telework agreements.

Office of Management and Budget attempted to sell lawmakers on its reorganization proposals Wednesday. The proposal to reorganize the Office of Personnel Management sparked mostly concern from members.

After spending years building its telework policy into one of the most popular programs of its kind, the Education Department will significantly reduce the ability of its employees to work from home. 

Federal management leaders in the Trump administration say they’re optimistic they can lead a bipartisan, inclusive discussion about its plan to modernize the federal workforce.

House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) says civil service reform is coming. The committee heard proposals for possible changes to federal employees’ pay and benefits Thursday.

Members of Congress in the Washington area scored highly yet again on this year’s report card put out by Federally Employed Women.

Federal News Radio examines what the winners of the midterm elections in Maryland, DC and Virginia could do for federal employees.

Defense analyst Jim McAleese reviews the Defense Authorization Bill agreed on by both the Senate and the House yesterday. OPM Director John Berry says proposed rules to implement phased retirement are on the fast track. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) discusses changes that will make it easier for feds to telework. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) talks about benefits that will help retain federal employees. Vivian Reifberg of McKinsey & Co. talks about why the current administrative transition is so important. Alex Bolton of The Hill discusses the fiscal cliff negotiations.

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), whose district in the Washington, D.C., suburbs is home to many federal employees, said he understands the frustration voiced by federal unions about a de facto extension of the federal pay freeze. Sarbanes said too often lawmakers used federal pay and benefits as a “piggybank” in deficit- reduction efforts.