FCW Insider: September 27, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
White House orders federal contractors vaccinated by Dec. 8
New COVID-19 guidance directs federal contractors and subcontractors to make sure their employees are vaccinated — the latest in a series of new vaccine requirements the White House has been rolling out in recent weeks.
Shutdown looms as Congress faces spending deadlines
Most agencies are still operating under shutdown plans crafted under the Trump administration, but there are provisions for continuing pandemic programs and operations.
House passes 2022 defense policy bill
The House passed its version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act with a $24 billion topline spending increase over the Biden administration's budget proposal, potentially eliminating a major hurdle once the bill heads into conference with the Senate.
Quick Hits
*** The $3.5 trillion reconciliation package consisting of bills from 13 House committees was advanced by the House Budget Committee on Saturday. In a "dear colleague" email sent Sunday evening, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the final details of the reconciliation package, known as the Build Back Better Act, will be negotiated with Senate and the White House. Pelosi also announced that debate on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, which already passed in the Senate, will kick off on Monday with a final vote coming on Thursday September 30.
*** Teleworking feds aren't using Washington, D.C.'s Metro transit system, which is putting the already shaky finances of the publicly financed system into further jeopardy, the Washington Post reports. Federal employee ridership of Metro subways and buses has dwindled from 40% of the total before the pandemic to just 14% of riders at present, according to a survey fielded by Metro. Overall ridership is at just one-third of pre-pandemic levels.