Category: Congress

Education Dept sets deadline for Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver

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The Education Department is trying to make it easier for public servants to receive student debt relief, but the changes to the federal relief program are only temporary. The agency added a waiver to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, in an effort to help more public servants receive debt relief, but to qualify for the program, applications must be in by Oct. 31. The PSLF program, in part, aims to encourage more college graduates to join the federal service. Borrowers who have worked for 10 years in federal…

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Five federal workforce items on Congress’ to-do list

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With the end of fiscal year 2022 approaching and a Sept. 30 deadline, Congress still has a lot on its plate to avoid a continuing resolution (CR), or potentially a government shutdown. Although some lawmakers have said a CR is already nearly inevitable, there are several key components on Congress’ to-do list when the House and Senate return from the August recess. Appropriations bills So far, the House passed six of its 12 spending bills for fiscal 2023 on July 20. Senate Democrats also released draft legislation for the 12…

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Senate committee calls on VA, DOJ to improve accessibility to federal technology

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Senate lawmakers are pushing the departments of Justice and Veterans Affairs, along with all agencies, to improve the accessibility of their online services. The Senate Special Committee on Aging looked into the accessibility of federal technology, specifically for seniors and individuals with disabilities, as well as older and disabled veterans. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), the committee’s chairman, said accessing digital services became a more prevalent concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, after accelerating a long-term shift in delivering government services through virtual, rather than physical, platforms. The acceleration of digital services…

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Water water everywhere: EPA using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to make it safer to drink

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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes the single largest investment of water infrastructure ever in federal government, with more than $ 50 billion going to Environmental Protection Agency programs. More than $ 20 billion is intended for safe drinking water programs, $ 15 billion is dedicated to replace lead pipes and $ 1.8 billion is to protect regional waters, according to the agency. Karen Dettmer, managing director for Infrastructure Implementation at EPA, said it is also the first time the agency has dedicated funding for tackling emerging contaminants, through its State…

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Senate appropriators propose to repeal Hyde, add tens of billions to Defense budget

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Senate appropriators proposed last week an end to a four-decade-old provision that restricts the government from funding abortions and would expand reproductive care for military service members and federal employees. The proposal is part of a set of bills to fund the government through fiscal 2023, which includes $ 850 billion for national security when taking into account the Defense appropriations bill, military construction spending and some military-related Energy Department funds. That number is well over the Biden administration’s $ 813 billion request for national security and outpaces the House…

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New bill would abolish MSPB, create ‘at-will’ federal employees

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Republican lawmakers are once again making a push that would allow the government to fire bureaucrats more easily. For the third time since 2016, members of the House introduced a bill to make all federal employees “at-will” workers. That means agencies would be able to more quickly remove employees for underperforming or behaving in a manner that goes against federal rules. “My bill would make all federal bureaucrats at-will employees — just like private sector workers — and claw back the inordinate protections some federal employees grossly abuse while helping…

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