Category: Congress

How bad would schedule F be, anyway?

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People concerned with the federal workforce and government operations generally are wondering. If he returns to office, would former President Donald Trump bring back Schedule F. That was his plan to turn a chunk of the senior career civil service employees to essentially political appointees.  The Federal Drive with Tom Temin spoke with one long-time observer who’s worried, Washington attorney George Chuzi. Interview transcript: George Chuzi My concern that the Trump administration will reinitiate Schedule F is actually stated in black and white in Project 2025. Project 2025 identifies three,…

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While things aren’t as busy, contractors can take this time to get out there for some face time

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With Congress passing a very short term continuing resolution to keep the government running, there just isn’t going to be that much new business right now. So what can companies do to make sure they get a good start to fiscal year 2025? To help with that answer, Larry Allen of Allen Federal Business Partners joined  the Federal Drive with Tom Temin. Interview transcript: Eric White Absolutely. So as fiscal year 2025 gets underway, what are some of the things that contractors need to take inventory of and have a…

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One of the most prominent advocates for good government retires

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A long time civil servant, veteran and advocate for civil service itself will hand the baton to new leadership next year. She’s has lead the National Academy of Public Administration longer than anyone, since 2017. And she’s driven several important Academy initiatives. Terry Gerton joined  the Federal Drive with Tom Temin. Interview transcript: Tom Temin And we’ve enjoyed a lot of interviews over the years on something that people may not realize about the Academy, is that it undertakes reports chartered by Congress to look at really problematic issues. And…

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Fiscal Service using death data to reduce improper payments

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The Bureau of Fiscal Service in the Treasury Department has a stretch goal — help prevent $ 12 billion in improper payments by 2029. Luckily for the bureau, Congress gave it some much needed help to improve its Do Not Pay database. The Fiscal Service now has access to the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File, which contains over 83 million records of deaths that have been reported to SSA. Tim Gribben, the commissioner of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, said Congress gave the agency access on a pilot…

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Another federal rule lands in court

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A Supreme Court decision earlier this year overturned the notion that courts should defer to federal agency regulatory authority when agencies make rules to carry out vaguely-written laws. It was known as the Chevron doctrine. The case that sparked the change is known as Loper. Loper is the fishing boat operator that didn’t want to pay for a federal monitor it was forced to let aboard its boat. Now several parties are suing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency that made the rule that sparked the Loper case.…

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Short-term funding delays Army investments, stalls key space programs

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While the broader debate over government spending has been postponed until after the presidential election, defense officials are detailing the consequences of another short-term funding plan on military readiness, training, contracting and modernization efforts. President Joe Biden signed a three-month government funding bill on Thursday, averting a government shutdown at least till December. DoD officials frequently sound the alarm over operating under a continuing resolution — Congress’ inability to pass appropriations on time is hardly new. The 2024 appropriations legislation, for instance, was passed six months into the fiscal year.…

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