Stephen Lynch

A new report from GAO found that the top three benefits of telework reported by agencies were improved recruitment and retention, improved work-life balance and increased productivity.

Two postal reform bills passed the House Oversight and Government Reform committee, although not without opposition or concerns.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee continued their investigation of the Transportation Security Administration, this time hearing from Administrator Peter Neffenger and Department of Homeland Security Inspector General John Roth.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee questioned the administration on its new federal security clearance reform plan. Members of the committee wanted further details about the Office of Personnel Management’s role in the new process, as well as the timeline, funding, and the authorities that DoD would have under the National Background Investigations Bureau.

The Federal Managers Association is supporting Tuesday’s introduction of the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) introduced the bill that would give 104 hours of sick leave to first-year feds that qualify under Veterans Affairs Department.

In examining the viability of the Senior Executive Service, House members called out the Veterans Affairs’ compensation program, with a pledge to introduce another piece of legislation to take back bonuses. The Senior Executives Association relayed concerns that talent is fleeing senior executive positions.

In the wake of across-the-board budget cuts, furloughs and slim — or no — annual pay raises, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says he’s concerned about a nose-dive in federal-employee morale. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) is now asking the Government Accountability Office to look into recent trends in feds’ job satisfaction. The lawmakers are concerned declining satisfaction “may be compromising the federal government’s ability to serve the American people.”

As lawmakers consider efforts to shore up the Postal Service’s financial footing, there’s still widespread disagreement over whether the current requirement for the agency prefunding requirement is fiscally responsible, as Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) argued during a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing Thursday, or an “onerous mandate” only required of the Postal Service, as Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) contended.

President Barack Obama signed the OPM IG Act into law this week. The law provides the agency’s top watchdog with an additional source of funding to conduct audits and investigations of the security-clearance process.

The House gave a boost to the Office of Personnel Management inspector general’s office Tuesday, voting to provide the agency’s auditors with access to new funding to conduct investigations. In a unanimous vote, the House approved the bipartisan OPM IG Act, introduced by Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) and co-sponsored by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass). The Senate approved a nearly identical measure, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), in October.