Author Archive

Lia Russell

Lia Russell is a former staff writer and associate editor at FCW.
People

Mixed success for House Democrats looking to parry Trump's workforce initiatives

The proposed elimination of the Office of Personnel Management as an independent agency appears to be on hold indefinitely, but executive orders and agency relocations have altered the federal workforce landscape.

Cybersecurity

USCIS postpones planned furloughs

A top appropriator vows to address potential future furloughs in next COVID-related legislative package.

People

OPM stonewalls probe of hiring practices, watchdog says

The Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management says the agency is not cooperating with a look at potential civil service law violations.

People

Bill to modernize Plum Book clears Senate committee

The measure looks to require more frequent updates of the directory of political appointees.

People

House-passed NDAA expands paid leave benefit to excluded feds

Title 38 employees, such as workers at the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Federal Aviation Administration were not included in the bill that established the benefit.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers ask DHS leaders to postpone USCIS furloughs

The immigration agency is now set to end FY2020 with surplus, and two Senate appropriators are asking for a pause on furloughs while Congress negotiates supplemental funding to offset 2021 shortfalls.

People

Sen. Peters: Agencies should publicly share reopening plans

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee's ranking Democrat joins union officials and House lawmakers in asking for transparency.

Cybersecurity

House Appropriators pass DHS funding bill

Passage comes a day after union leaders warn about impacts of looming USCIS furloughs.

Digital Government

House Appropriations keeps moving on FY21 funding billls

Appropriation for the Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services clears committee, includes emergency funding for state unemployment programs.

People

House members push 3% pay raise for civilian federal workers

Citing pay parity and COVID-19 resiliency, lawmakers urge Appropriations Committee to rethink planned 1% increase.

Digital Government

House pushes to preserve scientific integrity, congressional oversight

Appropriations Committee approves Interior and Legislative Branch appropriations bills for FY2021.

People

FLRA finalizes rule to allow feds to opt-out of paying union dues

Unions blast decision to allow workers to discontinue their payments at outside the traditional annual "window."

People

House appropriators put protections for federal workers into FY21 funding bill

Provisions would block the OPM-GSA merger and empower unions, but the bill does not touch on pay raises.

People

House leaders push back against proposed FY21 spending cuts

Appropriators hope to beef up staffing, modernize operations and remove Confederate symbols from the Capitol.

People

Biden promises to undo Trump’s workforce policies

Democratic candidate pledges to appropriate permanent funding to feds in case of another shutdown.

People

Former AFGE chief and union sued over abuse allegations

Plaintiffs ask for compensation and punishment, federal monitor to reform union.

People

Immigration judges' union sues DOJ over public speaking policy

The National Association of Immigration Judges is suing the Department of Justice over restrictions that cover public speaking about immigration issues.