Federal Newscast
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- 13. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
THE FEDERAL NEWSCAST, (length about seven minutes), is a daily Monday through Friday, high-information compilation of nine 40-second news stories and news packages, generated by the non-partisan, non-political, private-sector team of reporters at Federal News Network. Federal News Radio Producer/Newscasters Eric White and Michele Sandiford assemble and read the stories on the THE FEDERAL DRIVE with TERRY GERTON, the weekday morning-drive program, heard from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ET) on the Federal News Network app (and website), on any smart speaker, and on WFED 1500 AM, a 50,000-watt 'Class A' powerhouse radio station in the nation's capital. The podcast is most popular with FNN's audience of highly educated listeners, who conveniently access THE FEDERAL NEWSCAST, 24/7, on any podcast platform . Listen to it (as just mentioned) or read the stories each weekday morning at FederalNewsNetwork.com, where the news items contain hyperlinks for those who want more information on a given story.
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Agencies face a push to send out a required federal employee survey
Agencies are facing a push to send out a required employee survey on a tight timeline. As that happens, the Office of Personnel Management is detailing the new core questions that agencies are required to ask …
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Agencies are facing a push to send out a required employee survey on a tight timeline. As that happens, the Office of Personnel Management is detailing the new core questions that agencies are required to ask. It also maps those new questions against the previous 16 required items. Any surveys that agencies field on or after November 30th must use OPM’s new questions. Agencies have until December 31st to distribute their 2026 employee survey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal retirement claims backlog is on the rise
The backlog of federal retirement claims is back on the rise. As of October, the Office of Personnel Management had about 10,600 claims in its inventory. That’s roughly 2,000 above what OPM had the previous …
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The backlog of federal retirement claims is back on the rise. As of October, the Office of Personnel Management had about 10,600 claims in its inventory. That’s roughly 2,000 above what OPM had the previous month. Processing times are also slowing down, as more applications are coming in. It’s taking OPM an average of 73 days to finalize a claim. But processing times for digitally submitted applications are faster, taking an average of 59 days to complete.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal telework decreased by 73% from 2024 to 2025
New data from the Office of Personnel Management shows that federal teleworking decreased by 73% from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. OPM’s annual telework report to Congress surveyed 97 agencies and found 55% of all …
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New data from the Office of Personnel Management shows that federal teleworking decreased by 73% from fiscal year 2024 to 2025. OPM’s annual telework report to Congress surveyed 97 agencies and found 55% of all employees were eligible to telework in the 2025 reporting period. That is a 6% decrease from 2024. OPM Director Scott Kupor says in-person work is the norm, but telework remains a legitimate tool for reasonable accommodation and under other limited circumstances. Participating agencies also provided a list of best practices for telework programs including continuous review of telework policies, conducting internal telework audits and providing agency-specific training.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
USDA mass reorganization plan remains on hold
The Agriculture Department’s mass reorganization plan will have to remain on hold. A federal judge has denied USDA’s request to stay an injunction that’s been keeping those plans paused since mid-October. While …
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The Agriculture Department’s mass reorganization plan will have to remain on hold. A federal judge has denied USDA’s request to stay an injunction that’s been keeping those plans paused since mid-October. While denying the agency’s motion, the judge is also ordering both parties in the lawsuit to hold a meeting to discuss a proposed clarification of the stay order. The American Federation of Government Employees has been suing USDA over the reorganization plans, and warning that the effort will lead to mass staff attrition.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DoD and VA join forces to increase electronic health information security
The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs are joining the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, or TEFCA, to increase interoperability and security of electronic health …
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The Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs are joining the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, or TEFCA, to increase interoperability and security of electronic health information. The two agencies are the latest to join TEFCA following the Indian Health Service, which joined in 2024. Leslie Sofocleous, director of VA’s Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office, says the move will give service members, veterans and families secure access to their health information across providers.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The debate over USDA mass reorganization plans intensifies
Back-and-forth arguments over the Agriculture Department’s mass reorganization plans are intensifying. The American Federation of Government Employees is seeking to stay a pending appeal motion from USDA …
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Back-and-forth arguments over the Agriculture Department’s mass reorganization plans are intensifying. The American Federation of Government Employees is seeking to stay a pending appeal motion from USDA. That’s as USDA is attempting to reverse a court injunction that’s been blocking the reorganization effort. Despite a federal judge ordering USDA to halt its plans, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA is “full-bore ahead” on the reorganization. AFGE has been suing USDA over the plans, calling them an unlawful attempt at a reduction in force.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Army National Guard expands free childcare program
The Army National Guard is expanding a free childcare program for soldiers who have to report for weekend drills. The pilot program started in 20 states and will be available in all 50 states, three territories …
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The Army National Guard is expanding a free childcare program for soldiers who have to report for weekend drills. The pilot program started in 20 states and will be available in all 50 states, three territories and Washington, D.C., by the end of the year. The program allows eligible Guard members to arrange childcare near their homes or drill locations at no cost. Army officials say reliable childcare can ease stress for military families, remove a potential obstacle to attending drills and help improve retention.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Thrift Savings Plan has another rough month in October
October was another rough month for the Thrift Savings Plan. Only 3 of 15 plans saw positive returns last month compared with September. And only the F fund saw significant increases, increasing by 2.47% in …
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October was another rough month for the Thrift Savings Plan. Only 3 of 15 plans saw positive returns last month compared with September. And only the F fund saw significant increases, increasing by 2.47% in October. The G and L funds came in with a return of under 1%. The other 13 funds dropped anywhere from 0.4% to 2.89% month over month. For the year, 14 of 15 funds continue to produce solid returns with only the F fund remaining underwater. The I fund has returned the highest percentage year to date despite a down September.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
NTEU wins two cases for employee members against the IRS
Third-party arbitrators have handed down two recent wins to the National Treasury Employees Union. One of the decisions finds that the IRS violated its union agreement by blocking employees on alternative work …
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Third-party arbitrators have handed down two recent wins to the National Treasury Employees Union. One of the decisions finds that the IRS violated its union agreement by blocking employees on alternative work schedules from earning additional credit hours. The second decision involves employees who attempted to withdraw their resignations during workforce reduction efforts. It orders the IRS to allow those employees to be reinstated. NTEU says it expects the IRS may appeal or ignore the two arbitration decisions. But the union says it will continue pushing for the rulings to be enforced.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM reminds federal employees about rights to report misconduct
The Office of Personnel Management is reminding federal employees that they should be allowed to report misconduct of their colleagues, without fear of retaliation. In a memo to agencies, OPM says concerns …
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The Office of Personnel Management is reminding federal employees that they should be allowed to report misconduct of their colleagues, without fear of retaliation. In a memo to agencies, OPM says concerns about potential EEO complaints, grievances or personal liability should not discourage feds from reporting suspected wrongdoing. OPM is telling agencies to communicate these protections to employees and promptly address any instances of retaliation that arise.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM looks to recruit the next generation of federal employees
Early-career workers looking to join public service have some upcoming opportunities. The Office of Personnel Management is hosting a hiring fair today, targeted at recruitment of employees under 30 years old …
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Early-career workers looking to join public service have some upcoming opportunities. The Office of Personnel Management is hosting a hiring fair today, targeted at recruitment of employees under 30 years old. At the event, candidates will have the opportunity to interview for a role, with the potential to receive an initial job offer. It’s the first recruitment event in a planned series, OPM says. For fiscal 2027, the Trump administration has set a governmentwide target of making 33% of all new hires early-career talent.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
White House chooses 11 new fellows to work with agencies on key priorities
The White House is bringing 11 new fellows to work with agencies on key priorities. The 2026-2027 Class of White House Fellows includes young professionals from law enforcement, business, academia, and five …
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The White House is bringing 11 new fellows to work with agencies on key priorities. The 2026-2027 Class of White House Fellows includes young professionals from law enforcement, business, academia, and five branches of the military. The fellows will work for one year at an assortment of agencies including the departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Defense
as well as with the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Security Council. Applications for the 2027-2028 class of White House Fellows will open on November 2.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Social Security Administration sees improvements to service delivery
The Social Security Administration is seeing improvements to service delivery in all metrics after implementing a digital-first approach. New numbers from the agency show historic productivity gains over the …
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The Social Security Administration is seeing improvements to service delivery in all metrics after implementing a digital-first approach. New numbers from the agency show historic productivity gains over the past two years for the workforce and increased service delivery speed for customers. SSA also surpassed 105 million registered users of my Social Security, which made it the largest digital financial services provider. The agency also highlighted its most recent achievement related to the Social Security number database. SSA corrected roughly 15% of all active Social Security numbers by adding missing death date and citizenship status information. SSA says it is implementing stronger internal controls to prevent future data-entry inaccuracies.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New details emerge on revisions to paid administrative leave regulations
More details are emerging on the Trump administration’s revisions to paid administrative leave. Agencies’ ability to pay employees not to work during workforce reduction efforts has been formalized. Paid leave …
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More details are emerging on the Trump administration’s revisions to paid administrative leave. Agencies’ ability to pay employees not to work during workforce reduction efforts has been formalized. Paid leave will also be allowed during reduction-in-force notice periods, the Office of Personnel Management says. OPM’s latest guidance comes after it finalized regulations to conform with the rules for the deferred resignation program. OPM is expected to soon update other online resources to reflect the new regulations.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New details emerge on revisions to paid administrative leave regulations
More details are emerging on the Trump administration’s revisions to paid administrative leave. Agencies’ ability to pay employees not to work during workforce reduction efforts has been formalized. Paid leave …
Shownotes
More details are emerging on the Trump administration’s revisions to paid administrative leave. Agencies’ ability to pay employees not to work during workforce reduction efforts has been formalized. Paid leave will also be allowed during reduction-in-force notice periods, the Office of Personnel Management says. OPM’s latest guidance comes after it finalized regulations to conform with the rules for the deferred resignation program. OPM is expected to soon update other online resources to reflect the new regulations.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
VA adds new and updated features to its electronic health records system
The Veterans Affairs Department added 15 new or updated features to its electronic health records system just ahead of two new rollouts. VA says the updates began at the end of September. Among the changes …
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The Veterans Affairs Department added 15 new or updated features to its electronic health records system just ahead of two new rollouts. VA says the updates began at the end of September. Among the changes, clinicians can now see vital signs, documentation, orders and key events on one streamlined timeline. VA says that supports faster, more informed decision making in urgent situations. Another feature lets ultrasound images flow directly into the federal EHR, which VA says will reduce duplicate tests and give clinicians timely access to diagnostic information. VA says it will roll out the EHR to facilities in Alaska and Cleveland starting next week.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal union calls on Congress to intervene in SBA’s planned office relocations
A federal union is calling on Congress to intervene in the Small Business Administration’s planned office relocations. The American Federation of Government Employees says SBA’s relocations should all be …
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A federal union is calling on Congress to intervene in the Small Business Administration’s planned office relocations. The American Federation of Government Employees says SBA’s relocations should all be paused, at least until the agency releases more information about its plans. SBA has been looking to relocate offices in Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta and Denver, along with several other cities. In a letter to congressional committee leaders this week, AFGE alleges that SBA has not fully analyzed how the relocations will affect public-facing services or the possibility of employees quitting.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM issues new strategic plan for hiring at federal agencies
Five overarching goals will define agencies’ hiring strategies for the next couple of years. The Trump administration is calling for skills-based assessments, expanded outreach, transparency and digitization …
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Five overarching goals will define agencies’ hiring strategies for the next couple of years. The Trump administration is calling for skills-based assessments, expanded outreach, transparency and digitization, pooled hiring and data-driven decisions. The Office of Personnel Management’s new strategic recruitment plan for 2026-28 comes as OPM is also pushing for increased hiring of tech talent, as well as younger employees.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senator rings alarm bells on waste and fraud at DHS
The top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is ringing alarm bells over waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich …
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The top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is ringing alarm bells over waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., wants DHS to provide answers to seven questions regarding how it has spent the $260 billion it received under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Secure America Act. Peters says recent reporting and the agency's lack of cooperation with its inspector general cast doubt on DHS's management of the funding. Among other things, Peters wants to know how DHS is ensuring accountability and transparency in its spending.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New bill looks to federal agencies to improve air quality
A new bill would require federal agencies to improve air quality and make upgrades to properties to reduce "heat islands." Congressman James Walkinshaw says the bill is inspired by the efforts his Virginia …
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A new bill would require federal agencies to improve air quality and make upgrades to properties to reduce "heat islands." Congressman James Walkinshaw says the bill is inspired by the efforts his Virginia district made over the summer to execute "heat island" reduction plans. Agencies would need to create a plan to reduce surface temperatures and building cooling demand. The bill specifically targets federal properties and facilities across the country that are in areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Under the bill, agencies would need to create a plan to reduce surface temperatures and building cooling demand along with identifying opportunities that decrease temperatures.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
American Foreign Service Association calls on State Dept to rehire fired feds
The State Department is opening up applications for its Lateral Entry Pilot Program, which is seeking to hire mid-career employees for the Foreign Service. The American Foreign Service Association says State …
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The State Department is opening up applications for its Lateral Entry Pilot Program, which is seeking to hire mid-career employees for the Foreign Service. The American Foreign Service Association says State has more than 2 thousand qualified people waiting to be hired. AFSA says that is how many employees who worked for the U.S. Agency for International Development and Foreign Service that State fired in 2025. The association says State should offer these officers a path back at grades that recognize their experience and prior service, without unnecessary entrance exams. AFSA also says Congress can help by passing the PATH to the Foreign Service Act and Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
HUD workforce continues to decline after DOGE
New details on workforce declines at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Government Accountability Office says HUD lost 29% of its workforce in 2025. A new report finds a majority of the …
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New details on workforce declines at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Government Accountability Office says HUD lost 29% of its workforce in 2025. A new report finds a majority of the departing employees left through DOGE’s deferred resignation program. In 2025, HUD hired roughly 69% fewer employees than the previous year. Since the start of this year, HUD has added only 120 employees to the workforce. HUD has not responded to GAO’s request for information about the office closures and workforce numbers the report identified.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM partners with White House fraud task force on hiring initiative
The Office of Personnel Management and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud are partnering to hire the next cohort of the US Tech Force. The two-year program will place applicants across agencies …
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The Office of Personnel Management and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud are partnering to hire the next cohort of the US Tech Force. The two-year program will place applicants across agencies, including the General Services Administration, the Social Security Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Health and Human Services, the State and Treasury departments. Vice President JD Vance says the partnership will help the government identify fraud, waste and abuse and reduce reliance on foreign technological advancements. Tech Force positions are open to the public and federal employees through career transition and reinstatement programs. The job announcement closes October 23.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new bill would supercharge customer service at the IRS
A new bill to supercharge customer service at the IRS made it through the Senate. The bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act would require the agency to create an online dashboard for tax filers …
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A new bill to supercharge customer service at the IRS made it through the Senate. The bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act would require the agency to create an online dashboard for tax filers and improve other online features like the Where’s my Refund tool. The measures are intended to cut down on the number of calls and letters employees have to respond to. The bill is based on previous legislation co-sponsored by Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). If passed by the House as is, the bill would also recommend that IRS provide a call-back option for all calls that go unanswered for five minutes.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Coast Guard surpasses its recruiting goal for third consecutive year
The Coast Guard has surpassed its recruiting goals for the third consecutive year, bringing in the largest number of enlisted recruits in nearly four decades. The service enlisted 5,445 active-duty members in …
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The Coast Guard has surpassed its recruiting goals for the third consecutive year, bringing in the largest number of enlisted recruits in nearly four decades. The service enlisted 5,445 active-duty members in fiscal 2026, up from the 5,204 enlisted members recruited in fiscal 2025. It also commissioned 346 active-duty officers. To expand its recruiting presence, the service opened four recruiting offices in Miami, Florida, Long Island, New York, Austin, Texas and in the Netherlands. In addition, the Coast Guard awarded a $400 million contract to modernize its training center in Cape May, New Jersey.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
OPM launches AI chatbot to answer questions about workforce trends
There’s a new way to look at data about the federal workforce. The Office of Personnel Management has launched an AI chatbot to answer the public’s questions about workforce trends. The new feature has been …
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There’s a new way to look at data about the federal workforce. The Office of Personnel Management has launched an AI chatbot to answer the public’s questions about workforce trends. The new feature has been added to OPM’s “federal workforce data” website, which details employment numbers and other information about the civil service. Users can enter questions and get AI-generated answers about government hires and separations, as well as workforce demographics like age, veteran status and education level.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal retirement application processing times trend downward
Processing times for federal retirement applications are speeding up. In September, it took the Office of Personnel Management an average of 56 days to finalize a federal retirement claim. That’s about two …
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Processing times for federal retirement applications are speeding up. In September, it took the Office of Personnel Management an average of 56 days to finalize a federal retirement claim. That’s about two weeks faster than the average processing speed for August. The retirement claims backlog has also fallen to about 8,800 total pending applications. That makes September the first time in at least a year that OPM’s inventory has dipped below 10,000 claims.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DoD wasted millions helping DHS increase immigration detection capacity
The Defense Department wasted millions of dollars helping the Department of Homeland Security increase immigration detention capacity at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. A government watchdog found that DoD spent …
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The Defense Department wasted millions of dollars helping the Department of Homeland Security increase immigration detention capacity at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. A government watchdog found that DoD spent $2.85 million assembling tents for an initial capacity of 5,000 beds. Those tents, however, were never used, because DHS later determined that they did not meet detention standards. The Army also wasted millions of dollars on meals at Camp East Montana in Texas. Specifically, the Army did not incorporate flexibilities into the contract to account for occupancy levels below the maximum. Overall, the Defense Department obligated approximately $68 million for immigration detention.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Democrats look to make the retirement process easier for feds
Democrats want to make the retirement process easier on federal employees. A new bill in the House would require the Office of Personnel Management to provide missing records, correct errors and offer benefits …
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Democrats want to make the retirement process easier on federal employees. A new bill in the House would require the Office of Personnel Management to provide missing records, correct errors and offer benefits information to federal retirees seeking help. Feds who recently separated or retired would be able to submit requests for support for up to four years, if the bill is enacted. The legislation comes after many feds faced major retirement processing delays during last year’s sweeping workforce reductions.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Thrift Savings Plan fund had a bad month in September
September was not a good month for the Thrift Savings Plan. All but one of the funds saw month-over-month drops. Only the G fund increased in September by .4% from where it was in August. The silver lining for …
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September was not a good month for the Thrift Savings Plan. All but one of the funds saw month-over-month drops. Only the G fund increased in September by .4% from where it was in August. The silver lining for September for the other 15 funds is they all experienced drops of less than 4% total. The S Fund saw the biggest month-over-month drop of 3.66%. For the year, every account but the F fund is in the black with the I Fund posting the largest year to date growth of over 16%.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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