Lawmakers call on Agriculture Dept to restore employee childcare centers contract
USDA has not communicated any plans to offer an alternative to the employees who rely on those centers. Congress – Federal News Network
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Justice Dept. investigating Biden’s final pardons for autopen abuse
The Justice Department is investigating the legitimacy of thousands of pardons that President Biden issued during his final days in office, which were likely signed with an autopen. The Washington Times stories: White House
Read More...State Dept sees record hiring, but seeks higher budgets through 2030 to fully replenish ranks
The State Department is bringing in a record volume of new hires, but is calling on lawmakers for increased budgets through the end of the decade to fully replenish its ranks. Richard Verma, deputy secretary of state for management and resources, said last Thursday that the department saw about a 7% increase in its budget for FY 2022, and saw another 7% spending increase in FY 2023. Verma said those funding increases allowed the department to recruit and grow its workforce “in a way that we haven’t done for many…
Read More...NDAA backs State Dept efforts to build up workforce, modernize diplomatic mission
Congress is backing many of the State Department’s plans to modernize its workforce and bring its diplomatic corps into the 21st century in the latest defense policy bill. The fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act lawmakers passed this week directs the department to keep the House and Senate up to date on its plans to stand up its Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, as well as provide updates on its hiring efforts. The NDAA specifically requires the department to inform lawmakers how well it’s meeting its long-term goal of…
Read More...Education Dept sets deadline for Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver
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…
Read More...Members of Congress want State Dept to go to bat for LGBTQ diplomats
<p><em>To listen to the Federal Newscast on your phone or mobile device, subscribe in <a href=”https://www.podcastone.com/federal-newstalk?showAllEpisodes=true”>PodcastOne</a> or <a href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/federal-newscast/id1053077930?mt=2″>Apple Podcasts</a>. The best listening experience on desktop can be found using Chrome, Firefox or Safari.</em></p> <ul> <li>Many political appointees, along with the vice president, can expect a freeze on their salaries to continue through at least the end of 2022. The <a href=”https://www.chcoc.gov/content/continued-pay-freeze-certain-senior-political-officials-6″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Office of Personnel Management</a> released details that the impacted groups are paid at or above the level for Executive Schedule IV. That includes employees serving in Executive Schedule positions and…
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