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Senators move to financially protect contractors during government shutdowns

October 4, 2023 government, during, senators, Move, Protect, Shutdown's, Contractors, financially0 comment

“Continuous vetting” is no longer just for employees in national security positions. More federal employees, many of whom are in policymaking, public safety and health and law enforcement roles, will soon be subject to background checks at any given time. The Office of Personnel Management is directing all agencies to start making preparations to change vetting procedures for what are called “non-sensitive public trust positions.” The goal is to enroll all feds in both high-and moderate-risk categories into the government’s continuous vetting program by next October. ( ‘Continuous vetting’ procedures…

Some agency leaders telling employees to prepare for a government shutdown

September 30, 2023 prepare, leaders, Some, government, Agency, employees, shutdown, telling0 comment

Even though Senate lawmakers are on the cusp of passing a bi-partisan continuing resolution to keep the government open to Nov. 17, agencies are telling their employees to prepare for a shutdown. The departments of Commerce and Homeland Security are among the agencies sending emails to employees today. “Prudent management requires the proper preparation for all contingencies, including the possibility that a lapse could occur. A lapse would mean that certain government activities would cease due to a lack of appropriated funding,” wrote Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in an email…

4 Key Things You Need to Know About Government Shutdowns

September 30, 2023 Shutdown's, about, things, need, government, know0 comment

With the nation’s capital fixated on tense negotiations over funding the federal government, apocalyptic warnings over a possible shutdown are filling headlines. Time is “running short,” we’re in “crisis mode,” and the House and Senate are on a “collision course,” to quote just a few prominent news outlets. But for the 99% of Americans who live far from the swamp, it’s not always clear how a government shutdown would affect day-to-day life. Here are some important points about how shutdowns work—and how Washington makes them worse. 1) Many Functions Continue Despite Shutdown Even…

How bad would a government shutdown really be?

September 22, 2023 would, government, really, shutdown0 comment

There are lots of reasons why its bad when politicians fail to appropriate money to keep the government going at the end of a fiscal year. This year’s shutdown brinksmanship is sharper than ever. So what’s so bad if the government shuts down for a few days or a month? Federal Drive with Tom Temin talked about a list of reasons with Vice President of Research for the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Jeff Holland. Interview Transcript: Tom Temin And let’s go through your list, because the very first item on…

White House asks Congress to pass short-term funding bill to keep government operating

September 2, 2023 House, White, Keep, asks, government, Bill, pass, shortterm, funding, Operating, Congress0 comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House said Thursday that Congress should pass a short-term funding measure to ensure the government keeps operating after the current budget year ends Sept. 30. An official with the Office of Management and Budget said lawmakers would very likely need to pass a temporary spending measure in September to prevent a potential partial shutdown. The official was not authorized to discuss the administration’s plans and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Without such congressional approval, parts of the federal government could shut…

All congressional eyes focus on the great question: CR or government shutdown?

August 21, 2023 question, congressional, focus, government, Eyes, shutdown, great0 comment

Congress is still a couple of weeks away from returning to Washington. Still, pressure is building for members to resolve a difficult budget impasse, as the prospects for a lapse in appropriations also seem to grow. For more, Federal Drive with Tom Temin spoke with Loren Duggan, Bloomberg Government’s Deputy News Director Loren. Interview Transcript: Tom Temin And absence, I guess, makes their hearts grow fonder. And the debates are in some level continuing here on what they will do about the budget, correct? Loren Duggan That is correct. I…