Jon Tester
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Two senators are urging the Office of Personnel Management to share details about the progress — or lack thereof — for the National Background Investigations Bureau. The NBIB is expected to be operational by October 2016.
August 26, 2016 -
In a letter to acting OPM Director Beth Cobert, Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) say they're concerned the agency doesn't have firm plans for transitioning the federal security clearance process from the old organization to the new National Background Investigations Bureau.
May 19, 2016 -
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) plans to introduce a package of bills aimed at government reform. The legislative bundle includes extra protection for whistleblowers as well as barriers to prevent abuse of administrative leave and awarding bonuses to misbehaving employees.
April 27, 2016 -
The under secretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics assured lawmakers that the DoD is keeping a close eye on the cybersecurity measures of its vendors.
April 22, 2016 -
The National Federation of Federal Employees says recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management contradicts legislation that would let temporary or seasonal workers compete for the same jobs that are open to permanent federal employees.
March 21, 2016 -
Accountability in the Senior Executive Service will be at the center of congressional discussions on a new omnibus legislative package for the Veterans Affairs Department. Senate VA Committee Chairman Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said he wants the VA and the committee to finish its work on the legislation by April 1.
March 16, 2016 -
The Senate is considering a series of new bills that would alter the Veterans Affairs Department's current Choice program, which lets veterans find a private care provider rather than a VA doctor. VA leaders and Congress both say the department's current program is not working.
March 11, 2016 -
After thoroughly reviewing the bill, Jeff Neal says it is a good piece of legislation that he hopes to see passed and signed by the President.
January 26, 2016 -
A new bill from Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) defines the term "administrative leave" and creates new categories of leave for employees awaiting the results of an agency investigation.
January 25, 2016 -
Postmaster General Megan Brennan told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Congress needs to pass legislative reforms to her agency, now.
January 21, 2016 -
It's sad to say, but bad news is often good news for the media. That's a shame, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey, because so much good news about the federal government never gets reported.
August 03, 2015 -
The hacking of the Office of Personnel Management's security clearance database is just the latest blow to the government's background-check system. Two years ago, a contractor with a security clearance shot a dozen colleagues at the Washington Navy Yard. Only later did the government learn he had a history of mental illness. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) has spent years advocating for reforms to the security-clearance process. He joined Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive to discuss his latest strategy — to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would force agencies to better manage the system.
July 10, 2015 -
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) wants the Office of Personnel Management's inspector general to investigate the full-suite of systems OPM uses to store personal background investigation information.
July 06, 2015 -
A Senate committee heard testimony Tuesday from retired Rear Adm. Earl Gay on his nomination to be the Office of Personnel's first deputy director in three years.
November 18, 2014 -
Lawmaker asks National Security Director James Clapper to take action against the tax- delinquents and inform them that their potentially harmful financial behaviors put the nation's security at risk.
August 27, 2014