The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

OPM seeks fewer top performance ratings, quicker discipline for poor performers Jun 23, 2025

The Trump administration wants to change what it says are inflated numbers of high performing federal employees. A new memo encourages agencies not to give too many employees the highest ratings on their annual performance reviews. Agencies are also being told to discipline or remove anyone deemed a poor performer. Here with more details on the latest guidance is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former archivist raises red flags over NARA cuts Jun 23, 2025

National Archives and Records Administration would take a $60 million cut under the 2026 budget request. Nara is also laying off nearly 100 employees as part of a new round of reductions in force. Former archives officials say the agency has little capacity to absorb such cuts and for more federal news networks. Justin Doubleday spoke with the former Archivist of the United States, Colleen Shogan,

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lots of procedural intrigue impacting the reconciliation megabill Jun 23, 2025

As the various Senate committees release their proposals for the reconciliation bill, the Senate parliamentarian is ruling out many of the more controversial elements. Here with more insight into what this might portend for the megabill's fate and other Congressional activity is deputy news director at Bloomberg Government, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What to do if remote work was your reasonable accommodation Jun 23, 2025

For some federal employees, working remotely was a reasonable accommodation that helped them make meaningful contributions in their jobs. The Trump Administration's blanket "return to the office" directive has upended those remote work arrangements and created uncertainty for those who depended on that flexibility. Here with insight on how the reasonable accommodation process should be working is Partner at Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, Aaron Szot.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Department of Defense wants to take back its right to repair Jun 23, 2025

Over the past two decades, the military services have transitioned away from their organic equipment maintenance capabilities to buying sustainment from the original equipment manufacturers. It seems that approach may be resulting in less readiness, not more. Secretary Hegseth has said he wants to bring repair capabilities back in-house, but is DoD ready for that? Here with more insight is the Director of the center for Defense Information at the Project on Government Oversight, Greg Williams.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Monday, June 23, 2025 Jun 23, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Department of Defense wants to take back its right to repair
What to do if remote work was your reasonable accommodation
Lots of procedural intrigue impacting the reconciliation megabill

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Army promises detailed transformation plan to Congress within 10 days Jun 20, 2025

Details around the Army's Transformation Initiative remain scarce, but officials say they're ready to explain the plan to Congress. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis joins me now with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How 21st Century IDEA set a higher standard for customer experience Jun 20, 2025

Federal agencies are setting a higher performance bar when delivering services to the public. The 21st Century integrated digital experience. Act of 2018 set a blueprint for more modern digital first customer experience in government. But agencies didn't start achieving those goals until the COVID 19 pandemic shuttered many agency offices, and now new legislation is looking to build on those goals as part of Federal News Network's 25th anniversary special report Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What it will take to realize AI's promise to simplify and speed federal acquisition Jun 20, 2025

AI promises to take over the piles of paperwork that govern the federal acquisition process. But in a world that is built around compliance, many are hesitant to trust that AI can follow all of the rules. Joining me with ideas on how to bridge that trust gap is the Founder and CEO of Rohirrim, Steve Aberle.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to organize for effectiveness and not just efficiency Jun 20, 2025

15 years ago, the U.S. military used the Rapid Equipping Force to quickly meet the needs of warfighting units in Afghanistan. Today, the Ukraine military is using a similar process to generate rapid innovation in tactics and equipment. Could the U.S. do it again if a conflict started on short notice? Joining me with insights on what it takes to organize for effectiveness is the co-founder and CEO of BMNT and former head of the REF, Pete Newell.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest data on how our military families are doing Jun 20, 2025

Military families and their quality of life are the backbone of our nation's military readiness. Blue Star Families, an advocate for military families, surveys that community annually to determine both how well they're doing and how likely they are to continue their service. Here with their latest data is Blue Star Families' Chief Impact Officer, Dr. Lindsay Knight.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, June 20, 2025 Jun 20, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The latest data on how our military families are doing
How to organize for effectiveness and not just efficiency
What it will take to realize AI's promise to simplify and speed federal acquisition

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal courts hamper Trump administration's plan to shrink federal workforce Jun 18, 2025

Federal courts are hampering the Trump administration's plans to shrink the federal workforce and reshape agencies, but it would have a lot more authority to proceed with these plans under a Senate committee's proposal, changes under consideration by members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee would allow the administration to move forward with reorganizations with minimal interference from Congress or the courts. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more and joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump EO pumps brakes on software security requirements Jun 18, 2025

The Trump administration is pumping the brakes on government wide software security requirements instead, President Donald Trump's new cybersecurity executive order calls for an industry consortium to study implementation of secure software development practices for more on these changes, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Applying best practices to speed Army fielding of new artillery and missile systems Jun 18, 2025

It can take over 10 years to bring a new ground system to life, at a time when our adversaries' development cycle is 18 months or less. A new report from GAO suggest best practices the Army could apply now to dramatically shorten its development cycle for these critical weapons. Here with more on the recommendations in a new report from GAO is Director of the Contracting and National Security Acquisitions team, Mona Sehgal.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A gauge of how well members of congress are creating a good environment for innovation Jun 18, 2025

The latest edition of the Congressional Innovation Scorecard (Edition 2), grades every member of Congress on how strongly they champion American inventors, creators, and the innovation economy. It's created by the Council for Innovation Promotion, or C4IP. For the results, we welcome one of the contributors. David Kappos is a David Kappos is a partner at Cravath, Swaine, & Moore and Co-Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property practice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Important investment trends in the defense and government sector Jun 18, 2025

Every presidential transition introduces uncertainty in investment markets. This time, the volatility generated by policy changes and DOGE has been even more dramatic. Here with insight into what those changes mean for the industries that work most closely with government is the managing director in the Defense and Government Group at Raymond James, Sam Maness.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Jun 18, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Important investment trends in the defense and government sector
A gauge of how well members of congress are creating a good environment for innovation
Applying best practices to speed Army fielding of new artillery and missile systems

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cuts to civil service protections remain in Senate committee’s reconciliation proposal Jun 17, 2025

Republican Senate committee leaders are still eyeing big changes for the civil service. New committee language that's been teed up for the GOP reconciliation bill would give all new federal employees a choice pay more into the government's Retirement System or lose your job protections. Here with more is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State department blocked from 15% workforce reduction, judge clarifies Jun 17, 2025

When federal judges issue orders, they do try to make them clear. But in several recent cases, attorneys suing the government have had to go back to court to enforce those orders, often with the government and the plaintiffs at odds about what the orders actually say. That was the case with the State Department's plan to lay off about 15% of its domestic workforce. Things are hopefully a bit clearer now, as Federal News Network's Jared Serbu writes in this week's Federal Report, Jared is here now to talk more about it

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The harm to rural communities embedded in President Trump's reconciliation bill Jun 17, 2025

Rural communities voted in large numbers for President Trump in hopes his administration could boost their fortunes. However, his first major piece of legislation not only doesn't help these communities--it actively harms them. Here with more insight into the unspoken impacts of many of the bill's provisions is the Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Dr. Gbenga Ajilore.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lessons for agency deputy secretaries on effective federal management Jun 17, 2025

Being an agency deputy secretary is a tough job. As the chief operating officer, this person is the essential link in the agency performance chain. But they also face unique dynamics that can make operational effectiveness a real challenge. A new paper from McKinsey offers some suggestions, and two of the authors are here to discuss their recommendations. I'm joined by Scott Blackburn, a senior partner in McKinsey's Washington DC office and Jesse Salazar, an advisor for McKinsey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sammies, the Oscars of Federal Government Service, will be presented tonight Jun 17, 2025

The Sammies have long recognized the most excellent achievements by federal government workers and teams. They'll be presented tonight by the Partnership for Public Service, but in a different environment from prior years. Here to share some highlights and concerns is the Partnership's President and CEO, Max Stier.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Jun 17, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Sammies, the Oscars of Federal Government Service, will be presented tonight
Lessons for agency deputy secretaries on effective federal management
The harm to rural communities embedded in President Trump's reconciliation bill

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hegseth cracks down on Pentagon use of IT consulting contracts Jun 16, 2025

The Pentagon is cracking down on IT consulting contracts. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said repeatedly the department has become too dependent on contractors, and he wants the Pentagon to reduce its reliance on outside help by increasing its in house capabilities. The question is, will these efforts reduce waste and improve efficiency, as he hopes federal news networks. Anastasia Obis is here with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House lawmakers’ CISA budget reprieve comes with questions Jun 16, 2025

The Trump administration has proposed cutting nearly half a billion dollars from the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency's budget next year. But Congress also has a say, and the house appropriators are advancing a bill that would lessen the budget blow to CISA federal news networks. Justin Doubleday is reporting.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new credential is available for defense financial managers Jun 16, 2025

Just looking at a bill from your doctor could convince you that the finances of health care are complicated. A new credential being offered by the Society of Defense Financial Management aims to help resource managers in defense and veterans health administrations certify their skills in this important, and growing, specialty. Here with more is SDFM's CEO, Rich Brady.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rescissions and reconciliation--a big week ahead for the Senate Jun 16, 2025

The Senate is expected to release its version of the reconciliation bill this week, while it also takes up the House-passed rescission bill and tries to deal with foreign affair. WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller joins me to explain how they'll keep all of those plates spinning.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's time to update the cybersecurity information sharing framework Jun 16, 2025

The law that established our current system for sharing information about cyberthreats is coming up on its tenth birthday, and its reauthorization deadline. Much has changed since the law was enacted and this could be a chance to update key provisions. Here with insights as to what Congress might be considering, and whether they'll meet the timeline is the Senior Vice President of Policy and General counsel for the Information Technology Industry Council, John Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Monday, June 16, 2025 Jun 16, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

It's time to update the cybersecurity information sharing framework
Rescissions and reconciliation--a big week ahead for the Senate
A new credential is available for defense financial managers

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DOGE sends federal employees a recruiting pitch Jun 13, 2025

Federal employees received a new recruiting pitch recently from the Department of Government Efficiency. Multiple Feds in recent weeks have received an unsolicited invitation to interview with the US DOGE Service. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA axes Biden-era pay bump for thousands of its HR employees Jun 13, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs is eliminating a pay bump for thousands of its employees. The VA approved a special salary rate under the Biden administration, giving HR professionals a 15% pay increase. The department approved the pay increase to address persistent underfunding across its HR workforce, and it was about the same time that VA surged healthcare hiring to treat more veterans under the toxic exposure PACT Act. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more on the current situation.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Things to consider when the federal government offers you your job back Jun 13, 2025

Several federal agencies are reaching out to federal workers who took the "fork in the road" or deferred retirement options and inviting them to come back to work. Some may have a choice an others may not. Here with more insight on what to consider you're in that situation is the staff vice president of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees, John Hatton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What every American should know about our spy history Jun 13, 2025

Intelligence operations are woven into every era of American history, and the secrecy of those operations has always been in tension with our national value of transparency. Here to discuss how those tensions are playing out today is the author of a new book, "The Spy and the State" and Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, Jeff Rogg.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, June 13, 2025 Jun 13, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

What every American should know about our spy history
Things to consider when the federal government offers you your job back

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD's AI talent management platform Gig Eagle transforms military talent acquisition Jun 12, 2025

Gig Eagle, the Defense Department's AI fueled talent management platform is quietly transforming how the military taps into talent. Originally built to match reservists with short term gigs across the Defense Department, the platform now supports over 13,000 users, including active duty service members and civilians. The Defense Department is now laying the groundwork for a broader national security talent marketplace, and it will soon be able to tap into talent within academia, industry and other government agencies for more Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke to Brigadier General Michael McGinley, who serves as the Director of the Gig Eagle agile talent ecosystem initiative.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2019 executive order began a trend toward White House-centered AI policy Jun 12, 2025

A 2019, executive order was a significant landmark in the nation's regulation and management of artificial intelligence technologies in the government, but it was just the first of many, among other things, that first executive order on AI focused on building research and development and the nation's AI workforce. And on those topics, it shared a lot in common with five subsequent orders on AI. That first order is one of 25 significant moments Federal News Network is marking this year as part of our 25th anniversary. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has been writing about it this week, and he's here with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration is taking a different tack in regulating the transportation industry Jun 12, 2025

A new notice of proposed rulemaking from the department of transportation indicates that the Trump administration is putting its philosophy of less regulation and more collaboration with industry into place. Comments are due by June 16. Here with insights on the proposed rules might affect the relationship between the regulators and industry is Partner at Cozen O'Connor, Michael Deutsch.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clarifying the rules around the Small Business Innovation Research program Jun 12, 2025

The Small Business Innovation Research program is one way to bring commercial products into government. It's relatively fast and simple, as long as you follow the rules. A new bid protest decision helps clarify those rules. Here to help us understand the decision is Procurement Attorney and Partner at Haynes Boone, Zach Prince.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why the U.S. can ill afford disinvestment in its nanotechnology infrastructure Jun 12, 2025

The U.S. investments in nanotechnology science over the past two decades positioned us as a global leader in this foundational discipline. But a new report from the National Academies of Science warns that, without continued investment, we're at risk of ceding our leadership to other countries, to the detriment of our innovative industries. The Chair of that report, Dean of the LSU College of Engineering and the Bert S. Turner chair, Dr. Vicki Colvin is here to discuss the report and its implications.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- June 12, 2025 Jun 12, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Why the U.S. can ill afford disinvestment in its nanotechnology infrastructure
Clarifying the rules around the Small Business Innovation Research program
The Trump administration is taking a different tack in regulating the transportation industry

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA gets closer to centralizing buying of common goods and services Jun 11, 2025

Two new initiatives are driving the General Services Administration closer to its goals, to centralize the buying of common goods and services simplify acquisition processes and save money. First, GSA is digging into the value added reseller model that has become popular over the last 20 plus years. And second, they're taking initial steps to set up a centralized acquisition office for more on why these two efforts are another signal of the significant changes on the horizon for federal contractors. Federal News Network Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IRS needs 11,000 hires to ‘maintain’ phone support for 2026 filing season, plans on 60% cut to IT staffing Jun 11, 2025

The IRS is looking to do more with less under the Trump administration's budget proposal next year, they would still face major spending cuts and staffing reductions, and they would have much more work to do if Congress passes the one big, beautiful bill that passed the House last month. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big opportunities to improve how the nation disposes of its nuclear waste Jun 11, 2025

The 15 nuclear waste sites, down from 107 at the end of the Cold War, remain under the control of the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management. A new report from GAO suggests that there are billions of dollars to be saved from optimizing the disposal plan for this waste. Here with more details is the Director for Natural Resources and Environment at the GAO, Nathan Anderson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the Defense Department is approaching procurement reform Jun 11, 2025

The Pentagon is trying many different approaches to speed up and simplify its acquisition programs, hoping to save billions in the process. Here with her observations on some of the most visible initiatives is the Managing Partner of Centre Law and Consulting, Barbara Kinosky.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to develop effective technology policy when your imagination of future uses is limited Jun 11, 2025

The Global Positioning System is over 50 years old. When it was developed, no one imagined all of the different ways it would be used by both civilians and the military. As we look forward to regulation of new technologies like artificial intelligence, what policy development lessons can we learn from GPS's history? Here with some thoughts on that is Systems Director for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Brian Weeden.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton --Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Jun 11, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

How to develop effective technology policy when your imagination of future uses is limited
How the Defense Department is approaching procurement reform
Big opportunities to improve how the nation disposes of its nuclear waste

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump revokes digital identity actions in new cyber executive order Jun 10, 2025

President Donald Trump is reforming government wide cybersecurity policies in a new executive order released Friday, Trump kept in place many of the cybersecurity policies of his predecessors, but he also directed some major changes. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday is here to break it all down.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DISA introduces new customer experience focus Jun 10, 2025

At the Defense Information Systems Agency, there's a new customer experience focus within the agency's hosting and compute Center, also known as the j9 Directorate. Part of that is embodied in the hybrid cloud broker office, which now includes a public facing sales force, a new customer success team and disses, first ever marketing team. Jeff Marshall is the agency's director of hosting and compute. He talked about his approach with federal news networks. Jason Miller during our recent DoD modernization exchange.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An important consideration for your retirement lifestyle, can you afford it? Jun 10, 2025

For federal employees facing retirement, visions of golf courses, cruise ships, and long cafe lunches may be dancing in their heads. But activities and expenses in retirement can look much different than we think. Here with advice on how to make your retirement savings last is retired federal manager and owner of AG Financial Services, Abe Grungold.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What everyone should know about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Jun 10, 2025

Active duty servicemembers and reservists and national guard troops called to active duty have particular rights and protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The Department of Justice wants to remind them, and the organizations with which they do business, about these protections. Here with more on DOJ's two new SCRA fact sheets is the United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Mac Warner.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Interesting times ahead for the new CEO of the Professional Services Council Jun 10, 2025

As the Trump administration makes change after change to the government's acquisition policies and processes, many contractors turn to the Professional Services Council to advocate for their interests and keep them informed. PSC's new CEO, Jim Carroll, is on board and here to share his vision and plan for this important organization.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Jun 10, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Interesting times ahead for the new CEO of the Professional Services Council
What everyone should know about the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
An important consideration for your retirement lifestyle, can you afford it?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD moves closer to getting CMMC off the ground Jun 09, 2025

The Defense Department feels better than ever about the future of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. DoD is close to solving two big obstacles to getting CMMC off the ground, more than six years after first introducing the data security program. For more on what comes next for CMMC, Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me with an update.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawmakers want timelines, clarity on Army Transformation Initiative Jun 09, 2025

The Army recently announced its sweeping Transformation Initiative, but more than a month later, Congress still hasn't received any details about the plan. Army leaders were on the Hill last week to testify on their 2026 budget and Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more on the state of the conversation.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why it matters that independent regulatory agencies are really independent Jun 09, 2025

Independent regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission have come under more scrutiny given a recent Trump executive order intended to make them more accountable to the politics of the President. Here to discuss whether this a new problem or a continuation of a trend is the Director of the Regulatory Studies Center and Professor of Practice at George Washington University, Roger Nober.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The many topics vying for Congressional attention Jun 09, 2025

As the big beautiful bill makes its way through the Senate, budget committees are beginning their markups for 2026 and hearings on other legislative priorities are underway. Here to discuss all of the topics demanding Congressional attention these days is the Deputy news director of Blomberg Government, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An objective look at Congress' ability to conduct effective oversight Jun 09, 2025

The data show a steady decline in both the number of Congressional oversight hearings and the number of expert witnesses at those hearings over the last two decades. But is that the only way Congress can ensure that the executive branch complies with the law? Joining me now with more data and recommendations is Senior Policy Analyst, Structural Democracy Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, J.D. Rackey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- June 9, 2025 Jun 09, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

An objective look at Congress' ability to conduct effective oversight
The many topics vying for Congressional attention
Why it matters that independent regulatory agencies are really independent

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD overhauls its risk management framework to streamline cybersecurity assessments Jun 06, 2025

The Defense Department is closing in on some promised reforms to its risk management framework. That's the process officials use to assess cyber risks and certify systems as safe for DoD networks. By the end of July, officials expect to release an outline of a simpler, reworked process for industry feedback. Among the objectives eliminate redundancies in the system and make it more realistic to conduct real time security assessments instead of just point in time ones details now from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

HHS relied on ‘error-ridden’ data to cut 10,000 jobs, former staff allege in lawsuit Jun 06, 2025

A lawsuit claims the Department of Health and Human Services relied on flawed data to slash more than 10,000 jobs. Attorneys representing seven former HHS employees say the department knew it had flawed personnel data when it carried out a reduction in force on April 1. The lawsuit states RIF notices contained lower performance ratings than what employees actually received or incorrectly listed them as working for certain offices or geographic locations. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman spoke with the partners and co founders of the civil service law center, Jessica Samuels and Clayton Bailey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The potential impact the Schedule Policy/Career could have on scientific integrity Jun 06, 2025

OPM recently extended the comment period on its proposed rule creating the Schedule Policy/Career. A group of former senior political appointees from the Environmental Protection Agency submitted a joint letter objecting to the rule on the ground that it could chill experts from providing their best scientific advice. Here with more on their rationale is one of the signers of the letter, former Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Obama administration, Bob Perciasepe.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new method to reduce risk in combat medical care Jun 06, 2025

In combat medicine, every second matters. A recent multi-national training exercise in Europe tested one new way to reduce risk and improve outcomes. Here with more on that game-changing innovation is the Commander of the 30th Medical Brigade, Colonel Anthony King.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, June 6, 2025 Jun 06, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A new method to reduce risk in combat medical care
The potential impact the Schedule Policy/Career could have on scientific integrity

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A look back at the origins of DIU Jun 05, 2025

Former Defense Secretary Ash Carter's vision for the Defense Innovation Unit was to connect commercial start ups with the Defense Department at a time when the relationship between the two was fraught, and as Silicon Valley was driving technological advances, while the Defense Department was falling further behind. Over the past decade, DIU showed the Pentagon can move faster, but a lot more work needs to be done to transform DoD into a truly innovative organization. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with the 25th anniversary story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What retiring feds need to know about their benefits in transition Jun 05, 2025

Timing is everything when thinking about when to drop your retirement paperwork. Understanding what happens to your leave balances, health insurance, and survivor benefits can inform that decision. Here with more on those key considerations is the Founder and Principal Retirement specialist at Retire Federal, Tammy Flanagan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lessons every agency can learn about securing key data bases Jun 05, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency's Central Data Exchange is its key user interface for collecting and reporting data on over 30 EPA programs. But when they started to see strange user names, they knew they had a problem Joining me to share what they discovered and what they did, is the audit director for EPA's office of inspector general, Michelle Wicker.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crowd-sourcing real time intelligence to inform tactical decisions Jun 05, 2025

Imagine being able to access sensor and satellite imagery, civilian smartphones, and other publicly available information in real time to inform tactical and operational decisions. If that sounds like a good idea, you might not be in the intel community. Could we, or should we, use that data? Here with a legal perspective on that question is Al Broadbent, an attorney at Womble Bond Dickinson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Thursday, June 5, 2025 Jun 05, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Crowd-sourcing real time intelligence to inform tactical decisions
Lessons every agency can learn about securing key data bases
What retiring feds need to know about their benefits in transition

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House wants to move TMF to ‘pass the hat’ funding model Jun 04, 2025

The Trump administration is zeroing out the Technology Modernization Fund for next year, but that doesn't mean its coffers will be empty as part of a newly released fiscal 2026 budget detail, the White House is proposing a new funding model for the TMF. For more on what that model would look like and other IT budget tidbits, Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM seeks fast-track removal of federal employees for ‘suitability’ reasons in proposed rule Jun 04, 2025

The Trump administration is proposing changes that would make it easier to fire federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management, in a proposed rule is looking to create ways to remove employees in a matter of days if they no longer meet the suitability and fitness standards required to join the federal workforce. Critics of the plan say this would rein in due process rights for federal employees accused of wrongdoing. Joining me with more on this story is Federal News Network's Jory Heckman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The table stakes for government contracting are increasing, and so is uncertainty Jun 04, 2025

The government contracting community is more uncertain about the business environment and more concerned about costs. So says the latest version of the Deltek Clarity survey. Here with more insights from the survey is Senior Vice President of Information Solutions at Deltek, Kevin Plexico. Read the report here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're still documenting the benefits and challenges of telework Jun 04, 2025

A new GAO conversation with private sector organizations documents afresh the benefits and challenges of telework and finds a great deal of agreement between workers and employers. Are there lessons here for the federal government? Joining me with more details, GAO's Director for Education, Workforce, and Income Security, John Sawyer.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another oversight office gets zero-ed out Jun 04, 2025

The Labor Department's small office tasked with ensuring contractors meet their affirmative action obligations has been dismantled by the Trump Administration, but like many other downsizing actions, this one has been temporarily halted by a federal judge. Here with more on what this means for the people who work there and the contractors who have to report, Bloomberg Law's Rebecca Klar.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Jun 04, 2025

Coming up today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Another oversight office gets zero-ed out
We're still documenting the benefits and challenges of telework
The table stakes for government contracting are increasing, and so is uncertainty

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guam barracks conditions highlight DoD’s persistent housing failures Jun 03, 2025

Service members stationed at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam have been forced to live in hazardous conditions with mold growing on the walls, black rusted pipes covering the ceiling and exposed electrical wires dangerously dangling. Meanwhile, the Defense Department is moving billions of dollars from the service's facilities and restoration accounts to fund the southern border mission. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with a report.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Judge hits out at “chaotic” DOGE move into OPM systems Jun 03, 2025

Last week, a federal judge criticized the way Office of Personnel Management officials allowed DOGE to access sensitive OPM databases. The judge is now considering issuing an order that would restrict how DOGE can access those systems in the future for the latest Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maintaining military readiness includes making sure the lights stay on Jun 03, 2025

Keeping the military prepared and ready won't mean anything if they can't turn their computers on. A new report from the Association of Defense Communities and Converge Strategies highlights the importance of protecting America's electricity grid when it comes to the country's military readiness. The report includes a framework for defense stakeholders to understand electric grid risks in their regions and explore national defense opportunities that a stronger transmission infrastructure backbone presents. For a glimpse into that, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with one of the report's authors and a principal at Converge Strategies, Will Rogers.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest product from the FAR overhaul is posted, to positive reviews Jun 03, 2025

FAR Part 10 covers requirements for market research. The new version is markedly shorter and comes with practitioner guidance and implementation tools. Joining me with insights as to what this means for the contracting community and future updates, Senior Fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, Emily Murphy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lessons every agency can learn about protecting PII Jun 03, 2025

There are plenty of laws and regulations designed to protect personally identifiable information. But actually doing it can be challenging, as the VA recently discovered. A new report from the VA OIG offers lessons for every agency. Here with more details, the Deputy Assistant IG for the Office of Audits and Evaluations at the VA, Daniel Morris.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, June 3, 2025 Jun 03, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Lessons every agency can learn about protecting PII
The latest product from the FAR overhaul is posted, to positive reviews
Maintaining military readiness includes making sure the lights stay on

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Governmentwide hiring plan calls on agencies to recruit ‘patriotic Americans’ into federal workforce Jun 02, 2025

The Trump administration is calling on agencies to hire federal employees more quickly, and soon it will ask candidates applying for federal jobs how they will adhere to its government efficiency agenda. The Office of Personnel Management rolled out a new governmentwide hiring plan last week, and Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with the highlights.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Small business advocates sound alarm on elimination of SBA programs Jun 02, 2025

Small business advocates are sounding alarm bells over the Small Business Administration's fiscal 2026 budget request, the White House is proposing to eliminate several long standing programs that support the development of small businesses, including the Women's Business Centers, and score for more on the potential impact on small businesses if the Trump administration cuts funding for these programs. Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller talked to Bridget Weston, the CEO of Score.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why resolving the debt limit while also passing the reconciliation bill might be the next installment of Mission Impossible Jun 02, 2025

President Trump's Big Beautiful reconciliation bill moves to the Senate this week, but some senators are already voicing concerns about the impact of the House version's provisions on the deficit and what that means for raising the national debt limit. Here with insight on the negotiations and the calendar squeeze is Bloomberg Government's Congressional Reporter, Jack Fitzpatrick.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why we should be thinking about drone attacks in the US Jun 02, 2025

Earlier this month, the White House announced it would consider drone strikes against Mexican drug cartels. Recent experience indicates those cartels likely have the capacity to respond in kind. Are we ready for such a scenario? Here with his insights on how we should be planning is Virginia National Guard State Judge Advocate, Carter Lee.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big plans for workforce expansion at Customs and Border Protection Jun 02, 2025

The reconciliation bill includes $6.2 billion to increase staff at CBP. To make that happen, the agency has to address both retention and hiring challenges. Joining me to discuss CBP's new hiring portal and other HR strategies is CBP's Executive Director for Talent Management, Bob Simpson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Monday, June 2, 2025 Jun 02, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Big plans for workforce expansion at Customs and Border Protection
Why we should be thinking about drone attacks in the US
Why resolving the debt limit while also passing the reconciliation bill might be the next installment of Mission Impossible

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Widespread layoffs unfolding across the federal government present a prime opportunity for foreign spy agencies May 30, 2025

The widespread layoffs unfolding across the federal government present a prime opportunity for foreign spy agencies. The foundation for defense of democracies, recently uncovered a likely Chinese intelligence operation targeting former Feds through fake recruiting websites. For more on this scheme and what to watch out for Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday spoke with FDD, Senior Analyst for emerging threats, Max lesser.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Results of the first review initiates battle over budget rules May 30, 2025

During the confirmation hearings of the Office of Management and Budget Director and Deputy Director for budget earlier this year, lawmakers pressed Russ Vought and Dan Bishop about whether they would comply with the Impoundment Control Act. The budget rules of the road require congressional approval if OMB decides not to spend money appropriated in law, while both Vought and Bishop promised to comply with the law. A new decision by the Government Accountability Office casts further doubt on whether OMB will follow the 1974 impoundment Control Act. For more on GAO's recent decision, Federal News Networks Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New research speeds up quantum computing May 30, 2025

Quantum computers promise to speed calculations dramatically. But they’re so different from today’s computers that scientists need to figure out the best ways to feed them information to take full advantage. Emerging research from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers a new approach. Joining me with more details is Dr. Bo Peng.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Using artificial intelligence to reduce DoD's procurement timelines May 30, 2025

Commercial firms are already using AI to simplify procurement. While bringing that approach into DoD offers great promise, there are also some significant obstacles. A new paper from the National Defense Industrial Association's Emerging Technologies Institute offers some specific recommendations for balancing risks and benefits. Joining me with more details is ETI Associate Research Fellow, Wilson Miles.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, May 30, 2025 May 30, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Using artificial intelligence to reduce DoD's procurement timelines
New research speeds up quantum computing

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD ends ‘what you did last week’ email, asks civilians for ideas to cut waste May 29, 2025

The Defense Department is wrapping up its what you did last week exercise, but it has one final ask of its civilian workforce, Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new DoD task force to focus on military career pathways and deployment considerations May 29, 2025

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered immediate changes to the DoD household goods moving program, mainly to deal with the department's current struggles in implementing the new global household goods contract. But there's a new effort in the works that could make some significant changes to how often service members have to move in the first place. Hegseth is framing the latest initiative as a cost cutting move, but it could also offer members of the military more geographic stability in the coming years. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu joins me now with details

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration may be taking a hatchet to the Hatch Act May 29, 2025

The Trump Administration has rescinded a rule related to the Hatch Act that now allows federal employees to wear campaign paraphernalia. That is only if the items are not in support of a person who is actively running for office. That may be confusing as potential candidates don't seem to ever stop campaigning in this era of influencer and branding. For some explanation of this move and what it could potentially mean for the Hatch Act overall, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Michael Fallings, Managing Partner at the law firm Tully Rinckey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the reconciliation bill may impact federal employee retirement planning May 29, 2025

Federal civilians already have a lot on their minds these days, including thinking about whether or not to take one of the retirement options on the table. The reconciliation bill in Congress could change your math and make you recalculate your estimated benefits. Joining us to lay out the factors is Thiago Glieger, a wealth adviser with RMG Advisers of Rockville, Maryland, a firm that specializes in federal employees.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What whistleblowers should consider before filing a report May 29, 2025

The protection of whistleblowers is a key tenet in our concept of government transparency and accountability, but that bargain seems pretty tenuous today. For more on the current environment and what might happen with a whistleblower complaint, Stephen Kohn joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Thursday, May 29, 2025 May 29, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

What whistleblowers should consider before filing a report
How the reconciliation bill may impact federal employee retirement planning
The Trump administration may be taking a hatchet to the Hatch Act

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SSA chief expects no mass layoffs to get to ‘right level of staffing,’ calls on DOGE to drive ‘digital-first’ agency May 28, 2025

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Social Security Administration, says that he doesn’t anticipate widespread layoffs for the agencies workforce but he does expect employees to become more productive as SSA pursues artificial intelligence tools to streamline the work. The new SSA commissioner says AI tools will help the agency answer more phone calls, and that officials from the Department of Government Efficiency will lead these upgrades. Here with more, Federal News Network's Jory Heckman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Five workforce bills for federal employees to watch this summer May 28, 2025

The proposed cuts to federal benefits that House lawmakers have tee'd up are top of mind for many employees, but that’s not the only legislation on the table that could bring changes for the federal workforce. Democrats and Republicans have introduced legislation some of which would actually increase benefits for federal workers. Here with more details, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A different approach to child care May 28, 2025

Finding safe, nurturing, affordable child care can be like searching for a unicorn, especially for people who work odd hours or live in child care deserts. An old program to solve this problem is making a comeback. Joining me with more details is the senior vice president at Cultural Care Au Pair, Natalie Jordan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GAO raises concerns about behavioral health services for veterans from community providers May 28, 2025

More and more, veterans who seek behavioral health care have been referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs to community providers outside the VA. A new GAO report finds that many of these providers are not meeting basic process and training requirements. Here with more on these new findings is Director for health care issues at GAO, Sharon Silas.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What to do when following the rules isn't enough May 28, 2025

Government is the application of rules to organize a community. The rules help make processes predictable and consistent, but they can get in the way of innovation. A new book suggests that getting "UNruly" may be the key to success. Here to tell us what that means and how to do it is the author,

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Wednesday, May 28, 2025 May 28, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

What to do when following the rules isn't enough
GAO raises concerns about behavioral health services for veterans from community providers
A different approach to child care

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD shifts billions from personnel and facilities accounts to fund border mission May 27, 2025

The Pentagon is shifting money away from permanent change of station costs, service member pay and benefits and infrastructure repairs to fund the southern border mission. With more on what that means for Pentagon missions and operations Federal News Network's Anastasia, Obis joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Energy Department headquarters among 11 properties board urges Trump administration to sell May 27, 2025

The Energy Department headquarters is one of 11 federal properties the Trump administration is being urged to sell by the Public Buildings Reform Board, a small independent agency Congress created in 2016. The board and the Biden administration didn't always agree on how to downsize federal real estate, but its members say they're getting full support from the Trump administration. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rain, snow and gloom of night won't do it, but what might be keeping your letter carrier from their appointed rounds May 27, 2025

Being a junior letter carrier for the US Postal Service is a tough job--being supported by your supervisor helps make it better. The Postal Service has a plan to improve retention among pre-career employees. For an update on how that plan is working, the Deputy Assistant Inspector General of Finance, Pricing, and Human Capital at USPS, Rick Poland, shares his insights.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The House finished the reconciliation bill before leaving town. What's next for the Big Beautiful Bill May 27, 2025

There are lots of details to sort through in the thousand page reconciliation bill passed by the House after several late night sessions. This recess week will give agencies and analysts a chance to study the specifics before the Senate takes up the bill next week. Here with initial insights is the deputy news director for Bloomberg Government, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new program to standardize firefighter training May 27, 2025

Communities across the country are short firefighters, but people who want to become firefighters don't have a clear path to join up. A new national apprenticeship program aims to match supply with demand, and standardize the training and career path in the process. Joining me with more in the Director of Collective Bargaining for the International Association of Fire Fighters, Chris Lake.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, May 27, 2025 May 27, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A new program to standardize firefighter training
The House finished the reconciliation bill before leaving town. What's next for the Big Beautiful Bill
Rain, snow and gloom of night won't do it, but what might be keeping your letter carrier from their appointed rounds

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DISA losing 10% of its civilian workforce May 23, 2025

The Defense Information Systems Agency is losing nearly 10% of its civilian workers as part of the Pentagon's broader effort to downsize its workforce. But DISA leaders say the downsizing is actually a chance to take a look at their priorities. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has the details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House-passed reconciliation bill includes more changes to proposed federal benefits cuts May 23, 2025

The House narrowly passed its budget reconciliation bill early Thursday morning. In the process, lawmakers removed one of several provisions impacting federal retirement benefits, still several other proposals to cut benefits for feds remain in the bill as it now heads to the Senate. Here with more details is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What the federal permit whisperers want you to know May 23, 2025

Getting environmental permits for major infrastructure projects can be its own heavy lift. As the Trump administration looks to increase projects that produce domestic mineral production, there's an organization that can make that easier and faster. Joining me with more on the work of the Permitting Council is Acting Executive Director, Manisha Patel.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A surprising haven for investment in the Department of Energy May 23, 2025

As the Trump administration cuts budgets and programs across the government, it has passed over a little known but highly effective program in the Department of Energy that catalyzes private investment in critical energy infrastructure. Here to tell us more about what's happening in the Loan Programs Office, Holland and Knight's Taite McDonald.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, May 23, 2025 May 23, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A surprising haven for investment in the Department of Energy
What the federal permit whisperers want you to know

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gerry Connolly, longtime federal workforce and IT advocate, dead at 75 May 22, 2025

We begin this morning remembering the life of Congressman Gerry Connolly, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee who died yesterday morning. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last fall and said he would not seek re election next year. His colleagues are remembering him as a longtime advocate for the federal workforce and for modernizing government. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with me now to speak more about Congressman Connolly's impact.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘Nothing is off the table:’ TSA leader testifies on potential privatization May 22, 2025

The Transportation Security Administration has largely been spared from the deep workforce cuts happening in other parts of the government. But TSA's, new leader says the Trump administration is open to big reforms, including potential privatization. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The perfect storm drove payroll consolidation to success May 22, 2025

The most successful federal shared services initiative came more than 20 years ago. The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management led the effort to consolidate the number of government wide payroll providers from 22 to four. As part of Federal News Networks's 25th anniversary celebration, the E-payroll consolidation initiative has been named a top moment in the last 25 years, and executive editor Jason Miller joins me to tell us why.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The oversight system that is supposed to watch over federal spending May 22, 2025

Americans want to know who makes the decisions about how much money the federal government spends and what it spends that money on, and right now it doesn't seem like they trust whoever that is with the checkbook. To answer these questions, Brookings' vice president and director of economic studies, Ben Harris, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An inside look at Congressman Gerry Connolly's career May 22, 2025

Congressman Gerry Connolly made a big impact for his constituents in Congress, but he also made a big impact on the people who got to work with him every day. Here to share a glimpse into that daily environment is one of his former staffers, Wendy Ginsberg.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Thursday, May 22, 2025 May 22, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The oversight system that is supposed to watch over federal spending
An inside look at Congressman Gerry Connolly's career
The perfect storm drove payroll consolidation to success

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA reinstates mandatory overtime to address 200,000-claim backlog May 21, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs is bringing back mandatory overtime for employees who process disability and Pension Claims. The VA is reducing a backlog of unprocessed claims, but Department officials say the extra hours are needed to complete this work more quickly. Some impacted VA employees say the mandatory overtime could lead to burnout federal news networks. Jory Heckman joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OSC ‘amicus’ opinion on probationary firings was ‘unwelcome,’ attorneys say May 21, 2025

The Office of Special Counsel says it thinks agencies should be able to fire their probationary employees for pretty much any reason and at any time. OSC s new opinion is a total reversal of its stance on this issue from just a few months ago, but attorneys representing fired probationary employees say that the OSC even issuing an opinion oversteps its authority, joining me with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new intellectual property guidebook from DOD is important but likely not your next beach read May 21, 2025

The long-awaited Intellectual Property Guidebook was finally released last month. Although this project was started under the previous administration, It's especially timely as the Pentagon rethinks acquisition strategies that better support sustainment. Here to help us make sense of the 80-plus pages, Haynes Boone procurement attorney Dan Ramish.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some big procurement homework assignments are due this week May 21, 2025

In early executive orders centered on procurement, the Trump administration set due dates for agency and industry responses. Those assignments are due this week. Here with insights on what we might see in those papers is the Acting president of the Professional Services Council, Stephanie Kostro

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new survey gives DoD some food for thought on acquisition reform May 21, 2025

A new survey from MITRE says that a majority of non-traditional defense contractors face barriers of inflexibility and complexity in the acquisition process. As DoD tries to bring more innovation and flexibility into its stable of contractors, what really needs to change to make this possible? The senior vice president and general manager for MITRE National Security Sector, Keoki Jackson joins me to answer that question.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Wednesday, May 21, 2025 May 21, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A new survey gives DoD some food for thought on acquisition reform
Some big procurement homework assignments are due this week
Tax and inflation rates may be more important that market volatility in your TSP

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What the Hatch Act’s return to the status quo means for feds May 20, 2025

The Trump administration has reversed course on recent reforms of the Hatch Act. The Office of Special Counsel says it's returning to the status quo for two major changes announced last May. Here with more on what this means for federal employees Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD is a step closer to have a new official at the top of its personnel enterprise May 20, 2025

The Defense Department is a step closer to having a new official at the top of its huge personnel enterprise, Anthony Tata. President Trump's nominee to be Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and readiness is up for consideration by the full Senate after earning the approval of the Armed Services Committee. The Undersecretary position has been chronically vacant over the past several administrations, and Tata faces stiff opposition from Democrats over what they see as divisive political views, but he's promising to play a unifying role in his new Pentagon post Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has details on Tata's priorities and some of the challenges he'll face.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tax and inflation rates may be more important that market volatility in your TSP May 20, 2025

The stock market's current volatility might be spooking some TSP investors, but there are some other big issues that they should be considering as they consider how to allocate their funds. Certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial joins me with how he thinks tax rates and inflation will affect the Thrift Savings Plan's various funds.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Staying on the right side of records retention laws May 20, 2025

The use of the signal app by senior leaders in the Trump administration has garnered plenty of attention...but was it illegal? One group suing the government says yes. Here to explain why is the interim director of American Oversight, Chioma Chukwu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Resources to help make your career pivot in Virginia May 20, 2025

Much of Virginia's economy relies on federal spending, whether through civilian agencies or military installations and operations. As that spending is reduced and federal workers and contractors in Virginia lose their jobs, the Commissioner of Virginia Works, want you to know about state resources that can help you pivot to new opportunities. Nicole Overly joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- May 20, 2025 May 20, 2025

Today on The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Resources to help make your career pivot in Virginia
Staying on the right side of records retention laws
Tax and inflation rates may be more important that market volatility in your TSP

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM wants federal retirement processing fully digitized in three weeks’ time May 19, 2025

Agencies are facing a tight timeline to move to completely paperless retirement processing. The Office of Personnel Management is putting the finishing touches on a multi year modernization project, which they say should dramatically improve long standing challenges in retirement processing. But some question how much of a difference the effort will really make. Here with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

$6.2B CBP hiring plan features ‘considerable uncertainty’ May 19, 2025

The Trump administration is quietly closing the window for public comment. Plus it will take more than a new policy to get certified s bombs. Those stories are much more ahead during this hour of the federal drive, but first, the Trump administration is backing a plan to increase Homeland Security spending by $67 billion over the next decade. That includes 6.2 billion to ramp up hiring at Customs and Border Protection. But the Congressional Budget Office projects considerable uncertainty about CBP ability to actually meet those hiring targets, federal news networks. Justin Doubleday is here with the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The House makes progress on the big beautiful bill May 19, 2025

Much of the President's agenda and actions to support it has been implemented so far through temporary measures like Executive Orders. The reconciliation bill currently making its way through the House is the first opportunity to codify those changes into law. Here with insights into what's in and what's out of this important legislation, WTOP's Capitol Hill Correspondent, Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump Administration is quietly closing the window for public comment May 19, 2025

The Administrative Procedures Act provisions for public comment ensure Americans can weigh in on proposed changes to federal rules and regulations. The Trump administration is finding new ways to skirt the requirements. Joining me to discuss what this means for transparency and public involvement is POGO's Effective and Accountable Government team associate, Janice Luong.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It will take more than a new policy to get certified SBOMs May 19, 2025

The Pentagon's new rules to encourage faster software procurements require contractors to provide a software bill of materials and have it certified by an independent third party. With insight on what it will take to make that vision a reality, former head of cybersecurity for the Department of Energy and CEO of Netrise, Tom Pace joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Monday, May 19, 2025 May 19, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

It will take more than a new policy to get certified SBOMs
The Trump Administration is quietly closing the window for public comment
The House will be trying to put the finishing touches on the overall "big beautiful bill"

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD to screen troops for gender dysphoria under new policy May 16, 2025

Last week, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to enforce a ban on transgender individuals serving in the military. The Defense Department has been moving quickly to identify and remove these troops from service, and now the Department says it will start screening troops for gender dysphoria during routine checkups in an effort to push transgender service members out of the military federal news networks. Anastasia, Obis is here with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Innovation Unit takes on a really tough problem May 16, 2025

Modernizing the Defense Department's PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution) process has been a goal for decades. The Defense Innovation Unit is piloting a new approach to its own budgeting and project management that might show the way. Here with more on the effort is DIU Program Manager, Jaime Fitzgibbon and PRYZM CEO, Nick LaRovere.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to know if your random number generator is really random May 16, 2025

Random numbers help us secure everything from bank accounts to classified servers. And yet, that essential layer of security can be spoofed. New research from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory uses quantum computing to generate organically random numbers that can't be hacked. Joining me with more details is the director of Oak Ridge's Quantum Science Center, Doctor Travis Humble.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The budget math for federal benefits is not getting better May 16, 2025

As Congress works to move their reconciliation bill forward, reductions to federal benefits may be inevitable. Here with more details on what might be included, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association vice president for policy and programs, John Hatton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, May 16, 2025 May 16, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The budget math for federal benefits is not getting better
How to know if your random number generator is really random
The Defense Innovation Unit takes on a really tough problem

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How human capital got a seat at the federal leadership table May 15, 2025

In 2002, the creation of a key leadership role transformed how agencies manage what many say is the federal government's most critical asset, its people. The Chief Human Capital Officers Act established both the CHCO role and the CHCO Council to ensure effective management of the government wide workforce. But challenges in human capital still persist. Here with more, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agencies explore post-quantum cryptography in acquisitions May 15, 2025

Quantum Computing remains an area of research and development, but US officials are concerned adversaries could steal sensitive data now and decrypt it in the future. As quantum technology progresses, agencies are now exploring how to incorporate post quantum cryptographic standards into their technologies. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday is here with the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

So you want to be a TSP millionaire? May 15, 2025

There are nearly 147,000 people who have TSP balances greater than one million dollars. Would you like to be one of them? We get some practical advice from federal retiree Abe Grungold of AG Financial Services.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Essential findings on the HUD OIG's list of priority issues for 2025 May 15, 2025

The HUD OIG says 31 outstanding recommendations warrant "priority" status in 2025 because they would have the most significant impact on HUD programs. To explain how, and what happens next, the Acting Inspector General for HUD, Stephen Begg, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The search for government efficiencies may break promises made to military servicemembers and veterans May 15, 2025

As DOGE searches for efficiencies everywhere, including in DoD, one organization that advocates for servicemembers and veterans worries that real harm may be done in the process. The President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA, Lieutenant General (Retired) Brian Kelly, joins me now to discuss.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Thursday, May 15, 2025 May 15, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The search for government efficiencies may break promises made to military servicemembers and veterans
Essential findings on the HUD OIG's list of priority issues for 2025
So you want to be a TSP millionaire?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA expands efforts to reshape federal consulting contracts May 14, 2025

A second group of consulting contractors is coming under the General Services Administration's microscope. A new set of 10 vendors have until this Friday to submit data analysis and options for potential savings on their existing consulting contracts to GSA and agency customers for review. For more on GSA s continued effort to reshape federal consulting contracts. Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OMB memo requires agencies to track federal employees’ attendance May 14, 2025

The Trump administration is requiring agencies to track whether federal employees are coming back to the office and whether those return to office plans still leave them with underutilized office space. The Office of Management and Budget wants agencies to begin tracking this data at federal buildings, a capability that's mostly been lacking up until now. Some of the Trump administration's actions around federal office space are in line with the bill signed into law in the final days of the Biden administration and Federal News networks. Jory Heckman joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's missing from the National Strategy to address domestic terrorism May 14, 2025

Preventing and responding to incidents of domestic terrorism requires Federal, state, and local assets to work together. GAO recently reported that the existing national strategy is missing some key information that could clarify key roles and missions. Here with more is the Director of homeland security and justice issues at GAO, Triana McNeil.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A free program to help former feds get started in AI May 14, 2025

AI is everywhere these days, and it is touted as the magical solution to almost every problem. But if you don’t speak AI, how do you get started? The University of Maryland is offering a free, online AI and Career Empowerment Certificate to help federal workers and others build AI literacy. Here to share more about this opportunity is Professor Balaji Padmanabhan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One Midwest state wants to attract displaced feds May 14, 2025

Through the end of April, the Trump administration announced more than 275,000 federal civil service layoffs nationwide. As these civil servants are re-evaluating their futures, Michigan wants them to know it offers new careers, incentives, placement programs and more. Joining me to share the details is Chief Growth Officer for the State of Michigan, Hilary Doe.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Wednesday, May 14, 2025 May 14, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

One Midwest state wants to attract displaced feds
A free program to help former feds get started in AI
What's missing from the National Strategy to address domestic terrorism

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Answering common questions about Republicans’ proposed federal benefits cuts May 13, 2025

Federal employee benefits could be on the chopping block as GOP lawmakers move forward with their budget reconciliation bill, Republicans are considering everything from cutting annuity supplements to charging a filing fee to file a case with the Merit Systems Protection Board. This all comes as federal employees are weighing their options for taking an early retirement or a deferred resignation. Here to help answer some common questions about the benefits proposals federal news networks Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD's multi-billion dollar contract to overhaul household goods shipments isn't going well May 13, 2025

More signs that the Defense Department's multi billion dollar contract to overhaul household goods shipments is not going well. As peak moving season gets underway, at least one military service is temporarily walking away from the global household goods contract and thousands of moves that were supposed to be handled by Home Safe the new vendor are headed back to DoD's legacy moving system. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has been following the GHC saga for the last several years, and he's with us now for an update.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No surprise: Attention to detail matters in federal acquisition regulations May 13, 2025

Two recent cases in the court of federal claims prove just how important it is for contractors to pay attention to their SAM registrations and how careful those currently reviewing the FAR need to be with any changes. With more details, Haynes Boone procurement attorney, Zach Prince, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When it comes to protecting federal employees, she's done it all May 13, 2025

Among attorneys who deal with federal employment and fairness issues, our next guest might be unique. She was a long-time member of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Director of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. And a member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Before all of that, she was general counsel to two large federal labor union. For a look at how things stand, Federal News Network's Tom Temin caught up with Susan Tsui Grundmann .

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What the latest proposal to reorganize the State Department tells us about diplomatic priorities May 13, 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's plan to reorganize the State Department may not be as draconian as an earlier version suggested, but it still has plenty of structural changes. Will it make a difference in how diplomacy operates? Here with an inside look is the Founder and CEO of fp21, Dan Spokojny.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, May 13, 2025 May 13, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

What the latest proposal to reorganize the State Department tells us about diplomatic priorities
When it comes to protecting federal employees, she's done it all
No surprise--Attention to detail matters in federal acquisition regulations

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA Secretary Collins says he hasn't finalized plans for workforce cuts May 12, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing for significant cuts to its workforce after hiring surged under the Biden administration, the VA is setting a goal of cutting 15% of its workforce. That would mean 10s of 1000s fewer employees. Secretary Doug Collins told lawmakers he hasn't finalized the plan yet, and the cuts could be higher or lower than that goal. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump admin fires acting FEMA administrator after House hearing May 12, 2025

The Trump administration summarily replaced Cameron Hamilton, the Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency last week after he spoke against eliminating the agency in front of Congress. For more on what's happening at FEMA, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress adds a little SALT to the reconciliation bill discussions May 12, 2025

Tax cuts, crypto regulation, air traffic control, and the Library of Congress. There's no shortage of issues for Congress and no clear way ahead. Hre to help us sort through what's happening on the hill, Deputy news director at bloomberg government, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New DEI guidance from the EEOC and DOJ generates lots of questions May 12, 2025

Employers and employees have rights and obligations under Title seven of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. New technical guidance from the EEOC and DOJ tries to clarify how DEI-related initiatives may create unlawful discrimination in workplaces, but it may raise more questions than it answers. My next guest, Chai Feldblum, a former Commissioner of the EEOC, is here to help us sort it out.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The only member of Congress with a PhD in science weighs in on Trump's cuts May 12, 2025

The Trump administration has cancelled close to $3 billion in NIH and NSF research grants. His 2026 skinny budget proposes further cuts to NSF, NIH, and NASA's research programs. To discuss the impact of these cuts, the Co-chair of the House Research and Development Caucus, Illinois Representative Bill Foster joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Monday, May 12, 2025 May 12, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The only member of Congress with a PhD in science weighs in on Trump's cuts
New DEI guidance from the EEOC and DOJ generates lots of questions
Congress adds a little SALT to the reconciliation bill discussions

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arrington kicks off effort to eliminate RMF for DoD software May 09, 2025

The Defense Department's latest effort to obtain secure software kicked off a 90 day sprint this week to develop a framework and an implementation plan under the software fast track, or SWFT initiative. The Pentagon's goal with SWFT is to replace the reliance on the risk management framework and give the military services and defense agencies easier access to secure software. For more on this DoD initiative, Federal News Network's executive editor, Jason Miller joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As civilian workforce shrinks, DISA turns to automation May 09, 2025

As the Defense Department's civilian workforce continues to shrink, defense agencies are turning to automation and artificial intelligence to offset the impacts of workforce reductions. Federal News Network's Anastasia Opus joins me now to share the details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What might change in a CISA 2015 reauthorization May 09, 2025

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act passed on a bipartisan basis a decade ago. But to get consensus, a lot of provisions got left behind. Now it's time to reauthorize, and with that comes the opportunity to modernize and fix the original provisions. Here to discuss whether, and how, Congress might move forward, Partner at Wiley Rein, Megan Brown.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the executive branch slashes foreign aid programs, will Congress step in? May 09, 2025

Foreign aid is often intertwined with national security and diplomacy, which can make it seem like Congress has limited control. But as the Executive Branch cuts critical foreign aid, non-profits are asking Congress to exercise its power of the purse to take a more active role in directing and distributing these foreign aid funds. Bread for the World’s government relations director, Bob Powers, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Friday, May 8, 2025 May 09, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

As the executive branch slashes foreign aid programs, will Congress step in?
What might change in a CISA 2015 reauthorization

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agencies to move to forced distribution system to rank senior executives’ performance May 08, 2025

The Trump administration wants to end what it sees as a culture of everyone gets a trophy in the Senior Executive Service. A new proposed rule from the Office of Personnel Management would require agencies to significantly limit how many senior executives receive the highest ratings in performance reviews. Federal News Network's Drew. Friedman joins me now with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawmakers question Noem over cuts to CISA, FEMA, TSA May 08, 2025

The Trump administration's 2026 budget request would cut spending across several department of homeland security components, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pressing DHS for more details on those proposed reductions for the latest Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One non-profit wants to help veterans make the leap to private sector AI May 08, 2025

Veterans know that you need a map to help you get where you want to go. But when it comes to getting a job in the tech sector, a map might not be enough. Now, there’s a new program to help veterans, especially those formerly employed by the federal government and recently laid off, make the transition into high-demand private-sector cybersecurity and tech roles. Here to tell us more about this effort, Vets in Tech Founder and CEO , Katherine Webster.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New legal concerns for federal contractors who might also do work in Mexico May 08, 2025

The Trump administration has declared war on Mexican drug cartels. Federal contractors already have to declare they don’t do business with foreign terrorist organizations. But new guidance from the Department of Justice means it turns out it might not be so easy to tell who’s who, and that has legal repercussions. To help us understand these new complexities, Counsels from King and Spalding, Mike Galdo and Brandt Leibe join me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A proposal to reorganize the entire Department of Defense, all of it, all at once May 08, 2025

Warfighting has changed dramatically. New threats, new technologies, and new realms like space and cyber arise quickly and require adaptation. But the Pentagon is still organized like it's 1950. A new paper from the American Enterprise Institute says now is the time for a top-to-bottom realignment. Here with more details is AEI non-resident senior fellow and retired Army major general, John Ferrari.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Thursday, May 8, 2025 May 08, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A proposal to reorganize the entire Department of Defense, all of it, all at once
One non-profit wants to help veterans make the leap to private sector AI
New legal concerns for federal contractors who might also do work in Mexico

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Marine Corps passed its financial statement audit, but at what cost May 07, 2025

The Marine Corps is DoD only military service that's managed to pass a financial statement audit. But the way it's gone about it isn't the sort of thing you'd want to do over the long term. The current process is expensive, time consuming, and filled with manual work arounds, but officials say they recognize those issues, and the next step is to make those successful audits more sustainable details now from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IRS taps some employees to work mandatory overtime to handle backlog May 07, 2025

This year's tax filing season is over, but the IRS is setting mandatory weekend overtime hours for some employees that's to get ahead of a backlog of tax returns flagged as having possible errors in them. Those tax returns need employees to manually review them before they're processed. The IRS faces this workload as it prepares to cut tens of thousands of employees from its workforce. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The FedRAMP cloud security program goes cloud native May 07, 2025

The FedRAMP program at the General Services Administration has enabled agencies to safely use commercial cloud computing for more than a decade. Last month the GSA launched an update called FedRAMP 20-X. It's designed to make it easier and faster for vendors to get the authorization they need to take on federal customers. For how it looks to industry, we turn to the founder and CEO of RegScale, Travis Howerton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking at the Trump administration against its predecessors May 07, 2025

For his second go around at this president thing, Donald Trump's cabinet confirmation's has outpaced three of the last four administrations. If you've been following his policy measures, you won't be surprised to hear that his nominees are not quite as diverse as previous cabinets. Those are just a couple of the findings from the Brookings Institution, where its Center for Effective Public Management continues to keep a tally of which posts are filled. For more, we welcome back to the program Katie Dunn Tenpas, who is a visiting fellow at Brookings, Ms. Tenpas welcome back.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A status report on the most expensive weapon system ever May 07, 2025

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program seems to transcend generations. The first copy took flight back in 2006. The capable but finicky aircraft continues to have maintenance and manufacturing problems. Now it has a new program manager on the contractor end of the program. Earlier Federal News Network's Tom Temin spoke with Lockheed Martin's Chauncey McIntosh.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Wednesday, May 7, 2025 May 07, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A status report on the most expensive weapon system ever
Looking at the Trump administration against its predecessors
The FedRAMP cloud security program goes cloud native

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD eliminated most DEI jobs well before Trump took office May 06, 2025

The Pentagon's purge of Diversity Equity and Inclusion personnel actually began in 2024 following a provision in the annual defense policy bill that mandated changes to the department's dei workforce while the Trump administration finalized the cuts, Congress laid most of the groundwork well before this administration took office for more Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke to the Government Accountability Office's Managing Director, Cathleen Berrick.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees flock to the second round of DRP, survey says May 06, 2025

For one reason or another, many more federal employees have flocked to the second round of the deferred resignation program. Some say the offer coming from their agency rather than OPM, felt more legitimate. Others want to leave on their own terms, rather than being pushed out in a reduction in force. But many are still choosing to stay in their jobs. Here with more on our latest survey results, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The contractor community tries to make sense of Trump's first 100 days May 06, 2025

Much has changed for federal contractors over the last three months. The Trump administration has rescinded rules and made rules without comment periods, terminated and then restarted contracts, and slowed reimbursement. Here to help us make sense of all the changes is David Berteau, President and CEO of the Professional Services Council.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government is giving up on an important part of the cybersecurity workforce May 06, 2025

During the first Trump administration, MITRE led a team that proposed a new solution to the shortage of cybersecurity analysts--hiring neurodistinct individuals. The team launched successful pilot projects with NGA and then CISA. The new Trump administration terminated the contract just prior to completion but the lessons learned are still available. Here with those lessons, Board Director at Melwood, Jim Cook.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new idea to help DOGE meet its fraud reduction goals May 06, 2025

The Program Integrity Alliance suggests that there’s a better way to reduce fraud than the government’s current pay-and-chase approach. But to make it work, someone will have to change the rules and approve new investments. Whose job might that be? Boston University Assistant Professor and PIA Senior Fellow, Jetson Leder-Luis has some ideas.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton -- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 May 06, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A new idea to help DOGE meet its fraud reduction goals
The government is giving up on an important part of the cybersecurity workforce
The contractor community tries to make sense of Trump's first 100 days

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House eyes reconciliation to get 2026 budget increase May 05, 2025

The first look at the White House's fiscal 2026 budget request is a tale of haves and have nots. The Departments of Defense and homeland security would see record discretionary requests when the Trump administration sends its full budget to Congress in the coming months. Meanwhile, civilian agencies are facing drastic budget cuts for more on what the White House wants spending to look like in 2026 Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me to discuss the details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Experts back integrated State Department cyber bureau May 05, 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's sweeping reorganization plan would break up the Department's Bureau of cyberspace and digital policy, even though it has yet to celebrate its fourth birthday. Cyber policy experts, though, say the bureau should be retained as one integrated organization. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress tries to figure out how to do less with less May 05, 2025

Now that Congress is back from spring break, they have spring cleaning to do finishing up budget reconciliation, tackling tax cuts, and sorting out federal benefits. We get an update on these and other Hill matters from WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Despite the early firing of 17 IGs, the CIGIE agenda continues May 05, 2025

The latest annual report from the CIGIE documents over $70 billion in monetary accomplishments from IG investigations in 2024. Despite the Trump Administration's disruption of the IG community, my next guest assures us that these kinds of investigations continue. Joining me in studio is the Executive Director of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, Andrew Cannarsa.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens for federal workers now that The General Services Administration has given up its management of child-care centers May 05, 2025

Child care for federal employees could soon be more expensive and harder to find. DOGE eliminated the GSA office that managed child care centers in federal buildings. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton explored the potential impact on federal workers with the Executive Director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice, Lenice Emanuel.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Monday, May 5, 2025 May 05, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

What happens for federal workers now that The General Services Administration has given up its management of child-care centers
Despite the early firing of 17 IGs, the CIGIE agenda continues
Congress tries to figure out how to do less with less

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new survey shows most Americans continue to support federal employees May 02, 2025

The Trump administration is pushing forward with deep cuts across government. Seems though, that a majority of Americans continue to show support for federal employees. That's according to new survey results from the Partnership for Public Service. The survey also found that two thirds of the public are concerned about a loss of experience and knowledge at agencies. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman got more from the partnership's senior research manager, Paul Hitler.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GAO and USPS IG make their case for more funds to fight waste, fraud and abuse May 02, 2025

Over the first 100 days of the Trump administration, the US Department of Government Efficiency banged the drum of rooting out waste, fraud and abuse across federal programs. At the same time, the White House wants agencies to reduce their budgets and the workforces of the organizations that typically lead those efforts. Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me to discuss how two of these agencies, the GAO and the postal services Inspector General, made their cases to Congress for more funding to better address waste, fraud and abuse.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How manage federal programs better using state and local data May 02, 2025

Federal agencies who fund programs the states administer often face an oversight problem. Namely, poor or missing state or municipal data. For some ways to improve data for program oversight and management, we turn to Polco CEO Nick Mastronardi.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How one state prepared to meet the needs of unemployed feds and contractors May 02, 2025

The state of Maryland got a crash course in emergency economic assistance when the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed just over a year ago. They're now bringing those lessons learned to support federal workers and contractors who may have lost their jobs because of recent realignments in funding and programs. Maryland's Secretary of Labor Portia Wu is here to tell us more.

For Maryland Labor Department resources visit: labor.maryland.gov/federalworkers

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Friday, May 2, 2025 May 02, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

How one state prepared to meet the needs of unemployed feds and contractors
How manage federal programs better using state and local data

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet the new Federal Drive host Terry Gerton May 01, 2025

As Tom Temin retires from "The Federal Drive," he introduces the new host Terry Gerton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tom's last Federal Drive he sits down with WTOP's News Director and FNN's Digital Managing Editor May 01, 2025

As Tom Temin retires from "The Federal Drive," he sits down with Julia Ziegler, WTOP, Director of News and programming and Daisy Thornton, FNN Digital Managing Director

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tom's last Federal Drive he sits down with the show's producers May 01, 2025

As Tom Temin retires from "The Federal Drive," he sits down with the producers of the show Eric White and Michele Sandiford.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tom's last Federal Drive he sits down with FNN's Executive Editor May 01, 2025

As Tom Temin prepares to retire from "The Federal Drive," he sits down with Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Navy's unified endpoint initiative finally comes for sailors' devices May 01, 2025

The Navy has spent the last several years standing up technical solutions and designating them as intended for use across the fleet. Officials say the next step is extending that approach to the end point devices that sailors use every day, both ashore and afloat. For more on the unified endpoint initiative, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu talked with the Navy's Justin Finelli, Brandon Weller and Matthew Rambo.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cyber Command adapts to realities of constant digital conflict May 01, 2025

US Cyber Command has come a long way in the past 15 years, and it's finally closing the gap between day to day operations and the strategic view of cyber. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis reports.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The biggest problem with the social security program is not customer service May 01, 2025

Staffing reductions, center closings, and database access issues at the Social Security Administration have been in the headlines lately. But my next guest argues that, while all of these may save some money around the edges, they don’t fundamentally address the serious funding challenges facing the Social Security program. Program Integrity Fellow at Arnold Ventures, Doug Criscitello, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Air Force has a simple need: All new planes, and lots more pilots May 01, 2025

If air superiority is crucial to modern warfare, then the U.S. Air Force is not up to the task. That's the gist of a detailed look by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Among the findings, the Air Force is short by, get this, two thousand pilots. The Air Force itself is what the report calls the oldest, smallest and least ready in history. More details now from Mitchell Senior Resident Fellow Heather Penney.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An organization keeping women’s military history alive May 01, 2025

DoD has issued several directives regarding DEI, including eliminating identity months for one, and directing removal of DEI-related content from web pages and social media sites for another. Questions remain about where this information is going and how it might be brought back. Joining me to discuss the implications of these actions is the President of the Military Womens’ Memorial, Phyllis Wilson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Thursday, May 1, 2025 May 01, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

An organization keeping women’s military history alive
The Air Force has a simple need: All new planes, and lots more pilots
The biggest problem with the social security program is not customer service

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"The Federal Drive" host Tom Temin bids the show farewell Apr 30, 2025

Welcome to a special hour of the Federal Drive with me Tom Temin. We're changing up the programming this hour. It's my last as host, a chair I've occupied for more than 17 years. I'd like to take you behind the scenes of Federal News Network and hear from some of our team.

Jason Miller, Federal News Network, Executive Editor
Eric White and Michele Sandiford, Federal Drive producers
Julia Ziegler, WTOP, Director of News and programming and Daisy Thornton, FNN, Digital Managing Editor
Terry Gerton, incoming Federal Drive host

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM outlines expectations, timeline for agencies to adopt Trump’s changes on probationary employees Apr 30, 2025

Probationary employees have a fresh hurdle to clear before they can solidify their federal employment. President Trump signed an executive order last week calling for changes to how probationary periods work. It adds a new reason newbies can be canned here with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DHS abruptly ends flexible work agreements Apr 30, 2025

The Homeland Security Department abruptly canceled flexible work arrangements, announcing the change on Sunday. Well, that gave employees less than a day's notice to start a five day in person schedule employees who failed to show up to the office Monday on time while they were threatened with termination. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new wrinkle on the notion of postponing your federal retirement Apr 30, 2025

The government might employ some two million people. But no two federal employees are alike. That's why career and retirement planning can be complicated. For instance, what if you're old enough to retire but have less than 30 years in. For insight into what's know as MRA plus 10, we turn to long time federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Service members children have special needs, too Apr 30, 2025

The Defense Department's education activity, known as DODEA, has trouble delivering special needs services for children overseas. The Government Accountability Office finds a number of reasons including the way DODEA formulates staffing requirements. We get more now from the GAO's director of K-12 education research, Jackie Nowicki.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NIST looks to improve security of a foundation pillar of the internet Apr 30, 2025

Without a secure domain name system, the interview doesn't really have any security at all. Now the National Institute of Standards and Technology has revised its Secure DNS deployment guide, and seeks public comments. For more on the importance of the DNS and what's in special publication 800-81 revision 3, we turn to one of its principal authors, Cricket Liu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Apr 30, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, April 30, 2025

NIST looks to improve security of a foundation pillar of the internet
Service members children have special needs, too
A new wrinkle on the notion of postponing your federal retirement
A behind the scenes look as Tom retires from "The Federal Drive"

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Connolly stepping down from Oversight committee role, will not seek reelection Apr 29, 2025

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly, who's been at the center of federal employment and government operations issues for nearly two decades, made the surprise announcement yesterday he won't seek another term in Congress, and he'll step back from his work as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee. Connolly's been fighting esophageal cancer, and he says it's returned. Joining me with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman and Jason Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD’s deferred resignation program rollout lags as contracts add legal caveats Apr 29, 2025

The Defense Department's rollout of the Trump administration's deferred resignation program is in full swing, and that does not mean it's been smooth. In fact, some civilian employees are still waiting on their Separation Agreements and approvals, even though the administrative leave period is only two days away. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis brings us the latest to sort this all out.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the Trump administration is reshaping federal procurement Apr 29, 2025

The Trump administration has shown a great deal of interest in contracting and procurement. In fact, it has four executive orders on the street relating to procurement. Some things seem new, some things we've seen before. An assessment now from the senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, Emily Murphy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where the federal acquisition system can possibly head next Apr 29, 2025

My next guest has operated in the federal information technology and services acquisition field longer than I have. But, like me, he's about to retire or at least take a step back from the fulltime grind. Former Pentagon acquisition official and Professional Services Council CEO David Berteau joins me for a final Federal Drive with Tom Temin interview.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking back on a career of watching out on behalf public integrity Apr 29, 2025

Henry Kerner is at the moment a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, when lots of federal employees wonder whether merit principles have much of a future. He was also special counsel in the Office of Special Counsel and a long time prosecutor and congressional investigator. Henry Kerner joins me now in studio.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin - - Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Apr 29, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Looking back on a career of watching out on behalf public integrity
The Capitol building looks like it always has. But it has a new architect
The Trump agenda driving Congress as members return to Washington

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Navy looks to bring maritime operations up to speed of relevancy Apr 28, 2025

The Navy plans to focus over the next couple of years on making sure its maritime operations centers can fight at what the Navy calls the speed of relevancy that takes feeding commanders the data and systems to understand what's happening in real time for details. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller spoke to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for information warfare, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IARPA looks to next round of AI cybersecurity research Apr 28, 2025

Could artificial intelligence be responsible for the next big leak of classified information? Not if the intelligence, Advanced Research Projects activity can help with it. IARPA is exploring what comes next with its AI cybersecurity research. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump agenda driving Congress as members return to Washington Apr 28, 2025

Members of Congress, at least on one side, are looking for new ways to counter the Trump administration. For instance, Democratic senators are leaning on the Social Security Administration's inspector general to investigate cuts. More on this and what else is going on from WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Capitol building looks like it always has. But it has a new architect Apr 28, 2025

More than any other building, the U.S. Capitol stands as the symbol of the republic. The building itself is just one of many in an historical collection encompassing 18 million square feet of building space over 570 acres. Overseeing it all, the architect of the Capitol. The current architect has held the job for just about a year. Thomas Austin joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the Government Publishing Office, continuous change is the norm Apr 28, 2025

Few agencies have changed as much as what's now called the Government Publishing Office. It still has vestiges of the old Government Printing Office. Yet now its head is called director, and not the public printer, a reflection of just how much communications technology has changed. For an update, that director who's appeared several times here on the Federal Drive over the years joins me for his final appearance in my own tenure. We welcome GPO director Hugh Halpern.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, April 28, 2025 Apr 28, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

For the Government Publishing Office, continuous change is the norm
The Capitol building looks like it always has. But it has a new architect
The Trump agenda driving Congress as members return to Washington

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rumors of NITAAC’s demise are overstated Apr 25, 2025

The NIH procurement wing known as NITAAC, may want to borrow Mark Twain's famous saying, reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. NASA has extended its famous SEWP five contract, and the General Services Administration pauses a procurement oversight tool. These are the latest goings on in the federal procurement area. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller is following all of these and joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘Agencies must be where the people are:’ Trump alters priorities in relocating federal buildings Apr 25, 2025

The Trump administration wants to change where agencies decide to locate federal buildings. Two long standing executive orders that told agencies to consider underdeveloped urban areas and historic locations. The Trump administration rescinded them earlier this month, but were they really hard and fast rules in the first place? Well, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: Contractors welcome high demand for AI services Apr 25, 2025

You don’t have to look far to see that public sector demand for artificial intelligence capabilities is on the rise. Generative AI has government organizations at all levels looking to IT services contractors for transformational change. During Google Cloud Next ’25, Federal News Network’s Tom Temin talks with Knexus CEO Adam Lurie about some of these initiatives.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: Cloud, AI power inexpensive project to improve road safety Apr 25, 2025

Critical infrastructure like extensive state road systems pose all sorts of safety, traffic flow and maintenance challenges. To understand how artificial intelligence helps make traffic safer and more efficient, Federal News Network’s Tom Temin chats with the authority’s chief information officer, Josh Klemm, at Google Cloud Next ’25.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: Big Apple modernizes, improves services with AI Apr 25, 2025

New York City is using artificial intelligence and commercial cloud services to improve services, reduce technical debt and unify disparate agencies — from a citizen point of view. At Google Cloud Next ’25, Federal News Network’s Tom Temin gets the details from the chief technology officer of New York’s Office of Technology and Innovation, Matthew Fraser.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: Why open — really open — AI can boost science Apr 25, 2025

In science, you’ve got to show your work — the evidence of how you reached a hypothesis. Federal News Network’s Tom Temin gets the lowdown during Google Cloud Next ’25 about how artificial intelligence helps scientists do this better from Sophie Lebrecht, COO of Google partner Ai2.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: Florida uses AI to balance flooding, water supply and conservation Apr 25, 2025

The South Florida Water Management District is home to rivers, lakes, watersheds and the Everglades themselves. The district’s work is crucial to conservation, flood control and drinking water. During Google Cloud Next ’25, Federal News Network’s Tom Temin discusses with CIO Akin Owosina how Google tools are helping the district’s scientists and engineers manage their missions.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI at the Inflection Point: How AI can make scientists’ daily work easier Apr 25, 2025

Few organizations use as wide a range of technology as the nation’s national laboratories. To learn about AI and cloud innovations at Lawrence Berkeley, Federal News Network’s Tom Temin talks with the lab’s science IT advisor and cloud manager, Jeff D’Ambrogia, during Google Cloud Next ’25.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Virginia Senator Mark Warner assesses the situation Apr 25, 2025

Virginia and particular the parts of Virginia closest to Washington D.C. have probably been hit the hardest by the Trump administration. Virginia is home to some 150 thousand federal employees and countless contractors. Joining me for an assessment, Virginia Senator Mark Warner.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, April 25, 2025 Apr 25, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Virginia Senator Mark Warner assesses the situation
What to expect for federal health care coverage next year
Maybe it is a good time to stick your head in the sand

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maybe it is a good time to stick your head in the sand Apr 25, 2025

Whether it's the Trump tariffs or his bickering with the Federal Reserve chair, no one can say for certain. But stocks have tanked and its got anyone with a Thrift Savings Plan biting their fingernails. For an assessment of how bad things are, we turn to certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What to expect for federal health care coverage next year Apr 25, 2025

This will be less news/factual and more of your assessment of how the plans have evolved, in good ways and bad, over the years. Improvements in the plans and the program itself you’d like to see. And we’ll do a little review of Federal News Network’s coverage of this issue and the partnership we’ve had with Checkbook.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Department plans to eliminate ‘redundant’ offices as it launches reorganization Apr 23, 2025

The State Department has launched a comprehensive reorganization. Secretary ofState Marco Rubio says the changes will focus the department on the Trump administration's foreign policy. Well, now an unsigned draft executive order would shake up life for Foreign Service, workforce, people. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump administration estimates 50,000 federal employees will lose civil service protections Apr 23, 2025

Some 50,000 federal employees are on track to see their civil service protections removed. That's right, the Trump administration is pushing forward with converting employees who shape federal policy into at will employment status. New proposed regulations from the Office of Personnel Management bring the Trump administration's effort a step closer to reality, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the Justice Department inspector general stays ahead of the storm Apr 23, 2025

He might be one of the most enduring federal inspectors general having served Justice Departments under the Obama, Trump, Biden and second Trump administrations. He's also been a regular guest here on the Federal Drive. Joining me for my final interview with him, Michael Horowitz.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin - - Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Apr 23, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

How the Justice Department inspector general stays ahead of the storm
The risks created by 57 material weaknesses in a government audit
Grant cancellations are happening across the government, what can grantees do

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grant cancellations are happening across the government, what can grantees do Apr 23, 2025

The Department of Government Efficiency says it's cancelled $33 billion in grants. And more are likely to come. Just what privileges does the government have in revoking grants, and do grantees have any recourse? Some answers from Haynes Boone procurement attorney Dan Ramish.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The risks created by 57 material weaknesses in a government audit Apr 23, 2025

Temporary Aid for Needy Families, or TANF, is a $16.5 billion a year government grant program managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. GAO recently reported that HHS needs to do a better job managing the program. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton dug into the details with GAO’s Director of Financial Management and Assurance, Jim Dalkin.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Industry has something to say about that rewrite of the buying rules Apr 22, 2025

The now infamous rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, all 2,000 pages of it, the government has a lot of work to do. But the result will have the most effect on contractors. For whether they'll have any say in the rewrite and what they would say, we turn to the executive vice president for policy at the Professional Services Council, Stephanie Kostro.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cyber roundup: CISA pulls CVE from the brink Apr 22, 2025

A federally funded cyber security program used by organizations throughout the

world nearly shut down. Last week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency finally inked a last minute contract extension to keep the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program up and running. Well now the cyber security community itself is debating whether reforms are needed to that CVE system. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me with what's going on here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, April 22, 20258 Apr 22, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

After decades of critiquing this agency, now he's helping run it
Contractors hit hardest by contract cancellations at the Education Department
Industry has something to say about that rewrite of the buying rules

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA ‘unimpressed,’ insulted by consulting companies’ efforts to cut spending Apr 22, 2025

The General Services Administration is reviewing a second round of submissions from some of the top vendors, the ones who provide consulting services to the government. GSA is looking to them to find ways to trim contracts and save money. 10 vendors, which include some of the big names like Accenture, Deloitte and SAIC, had until Friday to submit fresh suggestions. GSA called the first data call unimpressive and, to quote, insufficient to the point of being

insulting. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After decades of critiquing this agency, now he's helping run it Apr 22, 2025

What's it like to spend literally decades trying to understand, decode and interpret a federal agency and then joining it at the executive level. We're about to find out. Larry Allen spent years as a federal sales and marketing consultant after a stint as president of the Coalition for Government Procurement. He was also a regular guest here on the Federal Drive. Last month he joined the General Services Administration as associate administrator for the Office of Governmentwide Policy. Larry Allen joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contractors hit hardest by contract cancellations at the Education Department Apr 22, 2025

The Education Department has canceled more than $3 billion in contracts or threatens to. Contractor services company TechnoMile finds that one in five contractors have their entire Education business at risk. Details now from TechnoMile's senior vice president Kevin Brancato.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees impacted by Trump administration can turn to new legal support network Apr 21, 2025

So fed up with the Trump administration, you want a lawyer, well now you might get one for free. Some unions and self styled good government groups have put together a network of attorneys who will give free legal support for people fired or otherwise impacted by current actions. Federal News networks Drew Friedman joins me with the details and this project.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here's one federal staff that's not getting cut Apr 21, 2025

The House of Representatives consists of more than its 435 members. It also has a workforce numbering just under ten thousand. Staff do everything from helping constituents with flags and Social Security questions to drafting legislation and helping members understand the issues. For what's going on with this highly specialized federal workforce, we turn to its chief human capitol officer, John Salamone.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, April 21, 2025 Apr 21, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Here's one federal staff that's not getting cut
Industry wonders whether the Pentagon will ever reform its budgeting system
The to-do list for Congress gets longer over recess

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA sets 80% occupancy target for federal buildings in push to cut office space Apr 21, 2025

The Trump administration, as you know, has made a return to the office a top priority for federal employees. Well now, in a parallel effort to cut federal real estate by 50% the General Services Administration is setting a higher minimum office occupancy standard underutilized buildings would get the ax, Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The to-do list for Congress gets longer over recess Apr 21, 2025

Members of Congress are back in their home districts, but the list of things they’ll have to tackle when they come back keeps getting longer. A budget reconciliation bill is top priority, but now they also have to think about how presidential executive orders, DOGE-directed closures, and tariffs are affecting their constituents at home. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton got the details from Bloomberg Government Senior Reporter Jack Fitzpatrick.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Industry wonders whether the Pentagon will ever reform its budgeting system Apr 21, 2025

The Defense Department's planning, programming, budgeting and execution system it looks pretty much like it has for decades. This, more than a year has after a Congressionally-chartered commission came out with a long list of ways to reform it. This year, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at least paid lip service to the idea of PPBE reform. So what's going on? We turn to the CEO of the Society of Defense Financial Management, Rich Brady.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An experienced hand returns to the executive levels at Veterans Affairs Apr 18, 2025

The Trump administration nominated, and Congress approved, at least one experienced hand to the Veterans Affairs Department. Paul Lawrence became deputy secretary last month. During the first Trump administration, he ran the Veterans Benefits Administration. Now he's got to find new health and benefits executives. For an update on this and other matters, Paul Lawrence joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, April 18, 2025 Apr 18, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

An experienced hand returns to the executive levels at Veterans Affairs
A federal retiree looks in amazement at what's going on

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal retiree looks in amazement at what's going on Apr 18, 2025

Is the goal of reducing the federal workforce by 10% wrong? Or just the way the Trump administration is going about it? And what about the five-bullet email? Some perspective now from retired federal manager Abe Grungold of A-G Financial Services.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two EOs continue biggest overhaul of federal acquisition since 1990s Apr 18, 2025

The Trump administration has mounted an attempt at the biggest overhaul of the Federal acquisition process since the 1990s. Two executive orders from President Donald Trump this week kicked off a rewrite and slimmed down of the Federal Acquisition Regulations the far it will renew the mandate to buy commercial products and services wherever possible. And for more on what they're up to Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller, got an exclusive

interview with the Office of Management and Budget's Senior Advisor leading the FAR overhaul, Kevin Rhodes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD hiring freeze ‘severely’ impacts military child care centers Apr 18, 2025

The Pentagon's hiring freeze has at least one unintended, or maybe intended consequence, one that could affect readiness of the armed services. For one thing, it has reversed years of progress the Air Force made in expanding Child Care Access. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, April 17, 2025 Apr 17, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Preventing EFT payment fraud in Medicare and Medicaid
What contractors need to do now to prepare for terminations for convenience
TSP tanking? Job in danger? Take a deep breath

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DHS cancels federal neurodiversity workforce contract Apr 17, 2025

The Homeland Security Department has canceled a Federal Workforce Initiative for Neuro diversity. The move ends a years long effort to accommodate people with conditions like autism as part of federal recruiting and retention. The initiatives were aimed at filling gaps in crucial fields like cyber security. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pathways Program transformed agencies’ approach to early-career hiring Apr 17, 2025

The Pathways program came from a simple need to replace the government's old internship programs, but it quickly turned into an opportunity for agencies to completely rethink how they hire early career employees. Pathways has had its fair share of challenges over the years, but with the latest changes from the Trump administration, the future of the federal workforce is murky, you might say. Here with the latest Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TSP tanking? Job in danger? Take a deep breath Apr 17, 2025

With Thrift Savings Plan accounts nose-diving and DOGE possibly coming for your job, no wonder federal employees are on edge. Times like these demand your calmest and clearest thinking. Here to help, certified financial planner Thiago Glieger.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What contractors need to do now to prepare for terminations for convenience Apr 17, 2025

When the government terminates a contract for convenience, the contractor has rights and responsibilities. To find out how contractors can prepare in the current environment, Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Contract Attorney with Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, Stephen Bacon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Preventing EFT payment fraud in Medicare and Medicaid Apr 17, 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services IG recently recovered $27 million in fraudulent payments made through electronic funds transfers. There are steps that would improve payment security, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid may not have the bandwidth to help state agencies comply. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton dug into the details with the regional Inspector General for Evaluation and Inspection for HHS, Brian Whitley.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How many special agents DOES it take to conduct all of the counter drug operations? Apr 16, 2025

A lot of agencies across different federal departments have to coordinate in the execution of counter drug operations. Even though they’ve been doing it for decades, a recent report from the Government Accountability Office says they still have some work to do to get it right. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton got the details from GAO’s Director of Homeland Security and Justice programs, Triana McNeil.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Apr 16, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Libraries push back against cutbacks to a federal library support program
How many special agents DOES it take to conduct all of the counter drug operations?
Non-competitive buying doesn't mean non-responsible

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Non-competitive buying doesn't mean non-responsible Apr 16, 2025

When buying certain commodities for resale, the Defense Commissary Agency doesn't always have to use full and open competition. It can pick among suppliers after a simple request for information. But that doesn't mean there are no rules as the agency found out in a protest. Haynes Boone procurement attorney Zach Prince joins me with the details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Libraries push back against cutbacks to a federal library support program Apr 16, 2025

The Institute of Museum and Library Services has been around for nearly 30 years. It only has about 75 employees and the Trump administration wants to cut that in half. The move isn't sitting well with libraries who receive federal dollars via the IMLS. For why it's suing to restore the agency, the American Library Association's policy chief Alan Inouye.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM plans to spend nearly $42 million to relocate a few hundred employees Apr 16, 2025

The Office of Personnel Management, like many agencies, is sending its employees back to the office full time. Trouble is OPM has lots of remote employees far from its offices. OPM gave them an ultimatum, relocate within commuting distance of an OPM office, or risk termination. Many employees took the former option, but now OPM faces a steep bill for relocation expenses Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hegseth memo to cut IT contracts lacks clarity, contradicts Pentagon downsizing plans Apr 16, 2025

Defense Secretary, Pete hegseth has directed the termination of $5.1 billion in contracts for it, management and consulting services. At least one external watchdog group says the guidance lacks clarity, gives unrealistic deadlines and contradicts earlier directives Federal News Network's, Anastasia Obis sorts out what's going on.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Apr 15, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

One Congressmen helps out his federal employee constituents
Veteran self scheduling system for medical appointments stills need a little work
What do New York, Georgia, and Washington state have in common?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Former Interior IG’s harassment is a sign of the times Apr 15, 2025

The former Interior Department Inspector General. He was also chairman of the Council on the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. Mark Greenblatt received a taunting phone call to his personal cell phone about a month ago as an IG Greenblatt was used to a certain level of negative comments and hate mail. This one went further in this week's federal report. Federal News Network's executive editor, Jason Miller, writes about how Greenblatt's experience is becoming all too common for federal employees and what they can do to protect themselves from harassment.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do New York, Georgia, and Washington state have in common Apr 15, 2025

In conversation, we often equate the federal government with Washington DC, but a new on-line tool shows just how broadly government operations extend across the country. The Impact Project’s online map shows the distribution of federal employees, facilities, and contracts down to congressional districts, and how the latest firings and contract terminations are affecting local communities. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with the founder of the Impact Project, Abby Andre.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran self scheduling system for medical appointments stills need a little work Apr 15, 2025

It seems simple enough. Veterans seeking care from community providers external to VA can schedule their own appointments. That's once they get the ok from VA. Now the VA's Office of Inspector General has called for more oversight of the Veteran Self Scheduling system. More now from the director for community care in the office of Audits and Evaluations, Jennifer McDonald.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This EO tells DoD to reform it's acquisition processes Apr 15, 2025

Congress and other acquisition policy makers have been pressing the Defense Department to embrace more commercial technologies, literally, for decades. Well now there's a new push, a sweeping executive order issued last week tells DOD to reform its acquisition processes with a first preference for commercial solutions. That was also the theme of a panel Federal News Network's Jared Serbu moderated at last week's Sierra Space conference.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One Congressmen helps out his federal employee constituents Apr 15, 2025

Prince George's County, Maryland, is one of the three Maryland and Virginia counties, along with Alexandria, that border the District of Columbia. Like the others, it's home to thousands of federal employees who’ve recently lost their jobs because of orders from the Trump Administration. Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey, whose district includes Prince George's County wants to help. He joined Terry Gerton in studio with plans for a resource fair coming up soon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You may never have heard of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, but you might miss it when it’s gone Apr 14, 2025

Another executive order, "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," is the latest effort by the president to reduce the size of the federal government. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, along with six other independent agencies targeted in this order, must reduce its operations and staff to the minimum ‘required by law’. A recent news story about FMCS sheds some light on why this agency might have made the list. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Investigative Reporter for the Daily Wire, Luke Rosiak, to get more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wyden to block CISA nominee over telecom security ‘cover up’ Apr 14, 2025

Staff at the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency may have to wait a little longer than expected for a Senate confirmed director. That's because Oregon Senator Ron Wyden plans to place a hold on Sean Planck, President Trump's nominee for CISA director. For more on why he chooses to do that, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

That rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, what's likely to change Apr 14, 2025

The Trump administration has ordered a rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. But not by members of the FAR Counsel but rather by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. The White House, that is. Here with what's at stake, Hunton Andrews Kurth procurement attorney Eric Crusius.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, April 14, 2025 Apr 14, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

That rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation what's likely to change
You may never have heard of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, but you might miss it when it’s gone
Congress is out on a two-week recess, but that doesn't mean things are quiet on Capitol Hill

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legal questions linger over deferred resignation program as feds feel pressure to accept offer Apr 14, 2025

Legal experts are feeling better about this round of the deferred resignation program, but the program is still in legally murky waters. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more for us.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress is out on a two-week recess, but that doesn't mean things are quiet on Capitol Hill Apr 14, 2025

Congress left town with an agreement on the budget resolution, but tough decisions loom when they return. Federal News Network's Terry Gerton broke down the workload with Bloomberg Government's Deputy News Director, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You may never have heard of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, but you might miss it when it’s gone Apr 14, 2025

Another executive order, "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," is the latest effort by the president to reduce the size of the federal government. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, along with six other independent agencies targeted in this order, must reduce its operations and staff to the minimum ‘required by law’. A recent news story about FMCS sheds some light on why this agency might have made the list. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Investigative Reporter for the Daily Wire, Luke Rosiak, to get more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, April 11, 2025 Apr 11, 2025

Coming up today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

EPA workforce cuts mean major changes to environmental regulation
This program may bring ride-sharing to a military base near you

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPA workforce cuts mean major changes to environmental regulation Apr 11, 2025

Based on the events from the first Trump administration, it didn't necessarily come as a surprise that cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency would be one of the first decisions to be made. Just like all the other ones facing downsizing though, the one surprise may have been just how far they would go. The White House is aiming for a 65 percent cut to the agency's workforce and activities. To find out what that would mean for environmental regulation overall, I spoke to former EPA Science Advisor Chris Frey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This program may bring ride-sharing to a military base near you Apr 11, 2025

Many people are utilizing ride-sharing apps as a method for commuting these days. However, that can be difficult if you work on a military base. As you can imagine, security protocols can make it hard for someone to drive up to one and ask if they can just drop someone off. The Army though is trying to find a workaround. A new pilot program is testing out methods to get certain drivers credentialed to make such drop offs. I learned more about it from Col. Mike Burns, Director of Public Affairs for US Army Forces Command who is in charge of the pilot. He was joined by Col. Chris Church, who is Provost Marshal for Army Forces Command. You'll hear from Col. Burns first.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

EPA takes steps to make sure employees keep returning to the office Apr 11, 2025

The Environmental Protection Agency says most employees are back in the office now. The agency is taking steps to make sure they keep coming back. The EPA says it will track certain metrics and discipline employees who aren't working in the office full time. Other agencies are taking steps to monitor employee behavior as well. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more of those details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM digitizes federal retirement booklets as part of longtime modernization effort Apr 11, 2025

Federal annuitants can now access some key retirement information online. Several

retirement booklets are now officially available in a digital format from the Office of Personnel Management OPM. Update brings the agency a step closer to its years long goal of modernizing the federal retirement process. Here with more Federal News Network reporter Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pentagon welcomes back troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine, offers back pay Apr 10, 2025

Service members who were booted out of the military for refusing the COVID vaccine should now be getting letters of apology from the Defense Department. They could also be eligible for back pay if they choose to return to service. Federal News Network reporter Anastasia Obis joins us with more details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest on the 2025 budget resolution Apr 10, 2025

Congress has made some progress on setting spending limits for the next decade. But there are still some big hurdles to get over before we know the effects on agencies and employees. Federal News Network's Terry Gerton heard the latest details from NARFE's Vice President for Policy and Programs, John Hatton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s AI policy shifts focus to ‘high impact’ use cases Apr 10, 2025

The White House is out with new artificial intelligence guidance for federal agencies. The Trump administration says it wants agencies to focus on accelerating the use of AI, but former officials say ongoing federal layoffs could hamper the administration's AI ambitions. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the secrecy surrounding DOGE structure impacts its accountability Apr 10, 2025

Boring but public details about how government agencies are structured, staffed, and funded mean citizens and Congress can hold those agencies accountable. The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, doesn’t seem to be following any of those rules. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton investigated the impact of that lack of clarity with the Project on Government Oversight’s Faith Williams.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The PMA put the ‘M’ back in OMB Apr 10, 2025

For too many decades, the M side of OMB played second fiddle to the budget side, but the Republican nominee for president, George W Bush, and his team, began charting a path to change that. The way the Bush administration pumped up the M side of OMB was with the introduction of the President's management agenda, or the PMA. As part of Federal News Networks 25th anniversary celebration, the PMA has been named a top moment in the last 25 years, and executive editor Jason Miller joins me now to tell us why.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, April 10, 2025 Apr 10, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The latest on the 2025 budget resolution
How the secrecy surrounding DOGE structure impacts its accountability

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s picks for OPM, OMB face federal workforce probes from Senate committee Apr 09, 2025

Two of President Trump's picks to lead a major overhaul of the federal workforce faced a range of questions from senators last week, the two Trump nominees discussed their plans and everything from performance management to collective bargaining, but throughout the Senate nomination hearing, the mass terminations of probationary employees came up repeatedly. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has the latest on that.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump administration issues new memo on AI acquisition and use Apr 09, 2025

The Trump administration's new memo on what agencies should consider when buying

artificial intelligence capabilities neither breaks new ground nor rehashes previous guidance. Rather, the Office of Management and Budget is recognizing the constant state of change in how agencies acquire and use AI. For more on what agencies need to know about acquiring artificial intelligence capabilities, Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TZ It takes more to audit federal agencies and programs than DOGE knows Apr 09, 2025

Elon Musk and his DOGE team say they’re just following the money, auditing government programs and data bases to identify trillions of dollars of waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. Actual government auditors say, “not so fast.” Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Wired magazine reporter, Vittoria Elliot.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal disaster response is now on GAO’s High Risk List. What to do before another disaster strikes Apr 09, 2025

President Trump signed an executive order that shifts responsibility for disaster preparations to state and local governments. The Government Accountability Office added disaster response to its High Risk List this year they have more than 60 recommendations to improve the process. And individuals applying for assistance face a forest of complexity when they need simplicity most. To find out where progress is being made (and where more can be done), Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with the Director of GAO’s homeland security and Justice division, Chris Currie.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration is also trying to save money while fighting the many lawsuits regarding agency directives these days Apr 09, 2025

One of the many executive orders issued by the Trump administration recently calls on federal agencies to demand getting plaintiffs to put money up when defending lawsuits against them. This is a federal procedure that is in the legal toolbox for them, just now getting more emphasis as the amount of those who have brought suit against agency actions has spiked recently. To get some perspective, I spoke to Sam Finnerty, who is a partner at the law firm PilieroMazza.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Apr 09, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Trump administration is also trying to save money while fighting the many lawsuits regarding agency directives these days
Federal disaster response is now on GAO’s High Risk List. What to do before another disaster strikes
It takes more to audit federal agencies and programs than DOGE knows

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contractors feel like they're on the edge of an abyss Apr 08, 2025

For an administration that promised the richest economy in human history things don't look so hot at the moment. Federal contractors, facing cancellations across the board, have begun to look at layoffs. By some published reports, legally required notices have come from 13 companies in Virginia and Maryland. Nearly 2,500 people would lose their jobs. The outlook now from the president and CEO of the Professional Services Council, David Berteau.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Treasury gives employees ‘second and final’ chance at deferred resignation offer Apr 08, 2025

Employees are coming and going at the IRS. The agency is the latest to announce widespread layoffs. With the tax filing season nearly over, yet, the agency is also giving thousands of fired probationary employees a chance to get their old jobs back after putting them on paid administrative leave. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's it like inside the intelligence community anyway Apr 08, 2025

The intelligence community has caught the spotlight thanks to what you might call presidential personnel actions. On the other hand, the IC has always been a cauldron of big personalities dealing with big issues and lots of opinions. My next guest was the principal deputy director of National Intelligence during the first Trump administration. Joining me with her insight, Sue Gordon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Apr 08, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

What's it like inside the intelligence community anyway
A congressional commission issued a report five years ago to increase national and public service. How those recommendations are playing today
Contractors feel like they're on the edge of an abyss

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DHS plans to slash HQ workforce, including AI experts Apr 08, 2025

Homeland Security is preparing to cut hundreds of headquarters employees. The DHS

management directorate includes it, procurement, financial management specialists. DHS leaders are looking to cut the Directorate in half, maybe. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A congressional commission issued a report five years ago to increase national and public service. How those recommendations are playing today Apr 08, 2025

A bipartisan congressional commission released its recommendations to strengthen all forms of service to meet the country’s needs just as COVID shut down the country in 2020. Now, five years later, Congress received an update on progress and unfinished business. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with the commission’s chairman, Dr. Joe Heck, to get his take on how times have changed and why his recommendations still matter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Navy takes next step aiming to standardize and simplify the technology used by sailors Apr 07, 2025

The Navy has spent the last several years standing up technical solutions and designating them as intended for use across the fleet. Well officials say the next step extending that approach to the end point devices that sailors use every day, ashore and afloat. For more on the unified endpoint initiative, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu spoke with the Navy's Justin Finelli,

Brandon, Weller and Matthew Rambo.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress debates whether tariffs will offset tax cuts as stocks swoon Apr 07, 2025

The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress argue that revenue from tariffs will offset continuation of tax cuts enacted in 2017. That idea has added a new twist to the debate over 20-26. We get the latest now from WTOP capitol hill correspondent Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, April 7, 2025 Apr 07, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

A big debate starts to boil over federal building architecture
How the FCC could change under more White House control
Congress debates whether tariffs will offset tax cuts as stocks swoon

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A big debate starts to boil over federal building architecture Apr 07, 2025

Among the many actions of the Trump administration, one stands out to those interested in the built environment. President Trump wants new federal construction to use traditional architecture something few recent projects have used. One group has found through a survey that most Americans prefer the traditional style. Joining me in studio with the details, the president of the National Civic Art Society, Justin Shubow.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House bill seeks to reverse Trump’s order on collective bargaining at agencies Apr 07, 2025

House lawmakers are pushing to restore collective bargaining for federal employees. That's after President Trump signed an executive order canceling union contracts for most agencies. A new bipartisan bill now seeks to reverse Trump's effort. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joins me with the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the FCC could change under more White House control Apr 07, 2025

President Trump has moved to exert more executive control over so-called independent agencies. Among them, the Federal Communications Commission. Congress created the FCC in the 1930s. Its five commissioners come from both parties, three to two in favor of whomever is president. For analysis of what Trump's plan may mean, we turn to a lawyer specializing in communication law and privacy, John Seiver.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ODNI orders Intel agencies to include OSINT in their programs and budgets Apr 04, 2025

The intelligence community relies on more than satellites and secretive human sources. Under a one year old open source intelligence strategy, or OSINT, spy agencies are adding more and more public and commercial data. Well now, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is making sure agencies include OSINT in their programs and budgets. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday got the rundown from the ICS OSINT executive Jason Barrett.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, April 4, 2025 Apr 04, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

How internet search algorithms could help critical infrastructure
What should the government do about the economy, anyway?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Army's Project Convergence evolving to test new technologies and warfighting concepts Apr 04, 2025

The Army has entered the fifth year for its Project Convergence. That's the service's annual war fighting experiment that helps inform the Pentagon's vision Joint All Domain Command and Control system (JADC2). This year is a little different. There's a part B. In addition to testing new technologies and war fighting concepts in the California desert, the Army is putting them through their paces in the place they might actually be used someday, the western pacific. We get details from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What should the government do about the economy, anyway? Apr 04, 2025

Government involvement in the market economy didn't start with the new deal. It's always been there. In today's complex world, government and industry interact in a highly complex ballet often expressed in the norms of administrative procedure. Now the Trump administration has asked agencies to eliminate 10 regulations for every new one they propose. Here with analysis, Wake Forest University law professor Sid Shapiro.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How internet search algorithms could help critical infrastructure Apr 04, 2025

Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found a new element in critical infrastructure protection. They've discovered how the algorithms that rank pages in internet searches also can help planners better understand how to prevent cascading failures in electrical or water systems. Here with how it all works, PNNL mathematician Bill Kay.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How much control should presidents have over independent agencies? Apr 03, 2025

Independent agencies are often small, but can have a large impact on regulations in many fields from finance, trade, to communications. Recently, many of them were the first ones subjects to budget and staffing cuts by the White House and its Department of Government Efficiency. How do the voters feel though about a president exerting controls over agencies that are supposed to be, well independent? Federal News Network's Eric White recently spoke with Steven Kull, who is the director of the University of Maryland's Program for Public Consultation. They did a recent poll of voters from across the political spectrum about this very topic.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD’s deferred resignation program available to civilians April 7–14 Apr 03, 2025

The Defense Department continues to try and shrink its civilian workforce. This week, it reopened the deferred resignation program to nearly all civilians. As usual, employees have a short window of time to decide if they want to leave federal service. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis reports.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

HUD pressured a big city housing authority to clean up its act Apr 03, 2025

Housing and Urban Development has kept up pressure on the New York City Housing Authority. The latest study by HUD's Office of Inspector General urges New York to have a more comprehensive anti-fraud program. This follows the bribery and corruption charges against 70 city housing officials last year. For more, we turn deputy IG Stephen Begg.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, April 3, 2025 Apr 03, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

HUD pressured a big city housing authority to clean up its act
How much control should presidents have over independent agencies?
It's a good time to get aggressive with your TSP investments

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reducing the footprint: The push to optimize government office space Apr 03, 2025

Federal agencies have more office space than they need, and under DOGE their accelerating plans to get rid of it. It might be easy to forget those efforts actually first got momentum under the Obama administration, it established policies to freeze and then reduce the so called Federal Real Estate footprint. It's one of the significant moments the Federal News Network is looking back on as we mark our 25th anniversary. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a good time to get aggressive with your TSP investments. Apr 03, 2025

The stock market you may have heard has had a terrible month. While it's never a good idea to try and time the market, it might be a good time to reconsider your mix of funds. Long-time TSP multimillionaire Abe Grungold has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As RIFs get underway, several agencies renew deferred resignation offers Apr 02, 2025

Many federal employees are seeing a familiar email land in their inboxes. A number of agencies have revived the fork in the road offers. They're telling employees they can choose to quit now in exchange for a few months of pay. The renewed offer comes as many agencies are beginning to conduct reductions in force. Here with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How the Navy is developing and expanding its suite of enterprise services Apr 02, 2025

When it comes to shared services, the Navy isn't taking a build it and they will come approach to enterprise services. The goal instead is to find an office that will lead the effort to build something so good that not only do other offices want to use it, but the shared services become boring and invisible to the mission. For more on how the Department of the Navy is developing and expanding its suite of Enterprise Services. Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller caught up with Justin Finelli, the Department of the Navy's Chief Technology Officer.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can the judiciary handle all the new lawsuits stemming from the Trump administration's actions? Apr 02, 2025

The Trump Administration's approach inherited from Silicon Valley of move fast and break things may be able to go unchecked in the business sector. However when done in government there can be certain legal hurdles to account for. Already there are many suits being brought in federal and state courts to challenge some of the White House's actions, much of which involve the cancelling of funding opportunities or work force reductions. It begs the question, can the judicial branch handle this new workload that will come from settling these disputes, and making sure their decisions are respected? For some perspective on this, we welcome Richard Pierce a law professor with George Washington University.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government confirms its rights to certain contractor intellectual property Apr 02, 2025

A recent dispute between the Air Force and a simulation software subcontractor proved an important point. The government has rights to certain intellectual property by challenging so-called markings. Notes on who can do what with images, drawings, technical data. Haynes Boone procurement attorney Dan Ramish joins me now with more on this case.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Apr 02, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are slowly sinking
Can the judiciary handle all the new lawsuits stemming from the Trump administration's actions?
The government confirms its rights to certain contractor intellectual property.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are slowly sinking Apr 02, 2025

The Navy has invested billions in its shipbuilding industrial base. But the results haven't come in. Ships take to long to build. And often too long to repair. Navy officials can't say for certain how well their investments are paying off that's according to the latest look-see by the Government Accountability Office. For details, we turn to the GAO's director for contracting and national security acquisition, Shelby Oakley.

Read the report here: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106286#summary_recommend

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new Trump Executive Order promises to send the General Services Administration “back to the future" Apr 01, 2025

President Trump’s order to Eliminate Waste and Save Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement brings some old procurement practices back into fashion. Over the next 60-90 days, agencies, OMB, and the GSA administrator have a lot of work to do centralize procurement of common items back in GSA. To understand what this means for the procurement system, Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with former GSA Administrator and current Senior Fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, Emily Murphy.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Army looks for new ways to define future requirements and the buying process Apr 01, 2025

It's no secret that the Army wants to speed up its buying processes, but to do that, officials say they also need to speed up their processes for deciding what the Army intends to buy. That's likely to mean not just a scrub of the requirements the service already has down on paper, but new ways of defining future requirements as the army continues to move away from the big programs of record details from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Parking chaos and no toilet paper: An inside look at the federal return-to-office Apr 01, 2025

Some federal employees expected the Trump administration's return to Office mandate to be a mess, and now for many, that's turned out to be the case. At some agencies, for example, there aren't enough desks with many feds instead left to work in packed conference rooms. Others are struggling to connect to the internet, and some are even running out of toilet paper. Here to share the results of our latest return to Office survey, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Apr 01, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

What happens next at Health and Human Services with a quarter of the workforce gone?
One D.C. university has a discount for out-of-work federal employees
A new Trump Executive Order promises to send the General Services Administration “back to the future"

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One D.C. university has a discount for out-of-work federal employees Apr 01, 2025

Federal employees newly out of work might look to build a new careers. To help, Georgetown's School of Continuing Studies is offering a big tuition discount. Joining me with the details, the school's dean, Kelly Otter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens next at Health and Human Services with a quarter of the workforce gone? Apr 01, 2025

The shock waves reverberate. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Junior wants to trim 20,000 employees or about one in four employees. For analysis of what this might mean for agency operations, we turn to a long-serving HHS executive now in private consulting, Jeff Grant.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inside a NASA mission to better understand a certain kind of storm Mar 31, 2025

Storms caused by updrafts, they've become of special interest to NASA. In fact, it has a special program called the Investigation of Convective Updrafts or INCUS. It's made some awards recently to launch measurement satellites. Joining me with an update, the manager of NASA's weather program, Will McCarty.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What one giant industry likes and dislikes about DOGE Mar 31, 2025

You're hearing this show on a consumer electronics device. Few Americans even get through breakfast each morning without interacting with consumer electronics. It's a big industry...and it has mixed feelings about the Trump-Musk-DOGE approach to the government. The CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association, Gary Shapiro, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress struggles to keep up with the Trump cavalcade of action Mar 31, 2025

The Trump-Doge-Musk fast-moving agenda prods Congress into action. This week members react to several of the latest administration executive orders and other moves. We get the rundown now from the deputy news director of Bloomberg Government, Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Signal leak dominates confirmation hearing for top Pentagon nominees Mar 31, 2025

That leak of a Signal group chat by members of President Trump's national security team, it keeps reverberating around Washington. The incident overshadowed a confirmation hearing for high level Defense Department nominees. They face questions about their own history of handling classified information. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has the latest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, March 31, 2025 Mar 31, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Inside a NASA mission to better understand a certain kind of storm
What one giant industry likes and dislikes about DOGE
Congress struggles to keep up with the Trump cavalcade of action

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

HHS employees who took separation incentive still waiting on promised administrative leave Mar 31, 2025

Health and Human Services employees who took a buyout say they're getting a less generous deal than what the agency promised. HHS told employees who took the buyout they'd be put on paid administrative leave once they accepted the deal, but many are still reporting to work, and their separation dates are fast approaching. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been on top of this.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House Democrats press for hearing with Hegseth over Signal incident Mar 29, 2025

Fallout continues for the Defense Department. Republican Senator Roger Wicker, the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman and the top Democrat Jack Reed, have asked the Pentagon's Inspector General to investigate that infamous leak of a Signal group chat. The discussion about sensitive attack plans against the Houthis in Yemen ended up including a reporter. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis reports.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress considers big changes to federal benefits, and not good ones Mar 28, 2025

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is considering a ways to cut federal benefits and save tens of billions of dollars over the years. Certified financial planner Thiago Glieger joins me with what he's concerned about.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawmakers introduce bill to break FEMA out of DHS Mar 28, 2025

The future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the latest now to come under question. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says FEMA is going to be eliminated. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have proposed an alternative solution, simply to move FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security. Joining me with all the latest Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should the government have a management department Mar 28, 2025

How to manage the government, it's the national topic at the moment. Right now the government is managed by Elon Musk and DOGE. Or at least it looks that way. Should we have a Department of Management? My next guest thinks so. Retired federal chief human capital officer Jeff Neal joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One senator isn't happy with the cancellation of the Presidential Management Fellows program Mar 28, 2025

For 50 years the Presidential Management Fellows program has brought promising young people into the government. Now the Trump administration has canceled it. That's not sitting well with my next guest, among others. New Jersey Senator Andy Kim joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, March 28, 2025 Mar 28, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

One senator isn't happy with the cancellation of the Presidential Management Fellows program
Congress considers big changes to federal benefits, and not good ones
Should the government have a management department

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If World War III broke out, the U.S. would be on its heels Mar 27, 2025

The ability of the U.S. military to deter war and prevail if it happens few are taking that for granted any more. My next guest in fact warned the Senate Armed Service Committee about it just this month. His concern centers on the ability of the defense industrial base to mobilize. The executive director of the Baroni Center for Government Contracting, Jerry McGinn, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After DeJoy's exit, USPS unions wary of Trump shakeup at agency Mar 27, 2025

Former Postmaster General, Louis de Joy avoided Several third rail types of issues during his tenure. He never talked about privatization, closing post offices or cutting the number of delivery days each week. Postal unions, though, aren't so sure they'll get the same assurances from his successor. President Donald Trump has floated several plans for shaking up USPS, Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Something new on the health care front for military service members Mar 27, 2025

For the first time ever, uniformed military service members have access to a health care benefit that's long been available to civilian federal employees. That would be a health care flexible spending account. The enrollment period is nearly over, but it will come around again in the 2025 open season and for special circumstances between now then. Joining me with the details, the assistant director for military compensation policy, Ronald Garner

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- March 27, 2025 Mar 27, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

If World War III broke out, the U.S. would be on its heels
Something new on the health care front for military service members
Assistance is available for struggling sea-going service members

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ten years later, agencies still making gains on category management Mar 27, 2025

The federal procurement system is famously complicated, but it's actually gotten more streamlined over the past decade thanks to an effort spanning three presidencies. It's called category management, and it's saved the government billions of dollars, and it's still a work in progress. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu wrote about it as one of the key issues that shaped the federal community in the last 25 years as part of our series celebrating Federal News Network's 25th anniversary.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Assistance is available for struggling sea-going service members Mar 27, 2025

Federal employees and service members across the board face challenging time. Sailors and Marines sometimes face special challenges when they return home. That's where the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society comes in. It's accepting applications for 2025-26 education grants. Joining me in studio with more, the society's chief operations officer, retired rear admiral Dawn Cutler.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal improper payments have become a universal constant Mar 26, 2025

Federal improper payments went on unabated last year. They reached $162 billion. Most but not all were overpayments. Medicare and Medicaid produced about half the overpayments. We get more now from the director of financial assurance at the Government Accountability Office, Hannah Padilla.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump's take on an obscure law has contractors baffled what to do Mar 26, 2025

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act goes back decades. It prohibits U.S. companies from bribing officials of other countries for contracts. Even if corruption is the norm in that country. Now the Trump administration says it's not enforcing the FCPA. For what this means, we turn to an attorney who's an expert in this law, Cadwalader partner Martin Weinstein.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA’s overhaul of FedRAMP contingent on automation Mar 26, 2025

Now more than ever, the long running cloud security program known as FedRAMP needs

industry's help. That was the message Monday from Pete Waterman, the Director of the Federal Risk Authorization management program FedRAMP at the General Services Administration. Here with what's going on, Federal News Network's executive editor, Jason Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House pushes for greater OPM authority over federal employees’ suitability Mar 26, 2025

The White House is looking to give the Office of Personnel Management more say in deciding whether federal employees can continue working. President Trump has directed OPM to rework its suitability and fitness regulations. The coming changes could spit out more reasons you could be found unfit for federal service. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman joins me with the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, March 26, 2025 Mar 26, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

A bill to keep federal diversity in building architecture
Federal improper payments have become a universal constant
Trump's take on an obscure law has contractors baffled what to do

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A bill to keep federal diversity in building architecture Mar 26, 2025

At least one member of Congress has been busy on several fronts. She's co-authored a bill to keep federal buildings architecturally diverse. Another to boost funding for air traffic controllers. And another to give Homeland Security more resources for event safety. Nevada Democrat Dina Titus joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contractors face new setback in getting paid for their work Mar 25, 2025

Among the latest White House executive orders, one is holding up payments to contractors. EO 14-222 tells agencies to build tracking systems. It requires written justifications for each payout. And a 30-day review of all contracts and grants. For the implications, we turn to the executive vice president for policy at the Professional Services Council, Stephanie Kostro.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hegseth cuts $580 million in contracts, grants with DOGE’s help Mar 25, 2025

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will cancel more than $580 million in contracts and grants. He said they don't align with the Trump administration's priorities. The cuts are part of the Defense Department's work with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis brings us the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump administration turns to Supreme Court in fight over reinstating probationary employees Mar 25, 2025

When it comes to trimming the federal workforce, the Trump administration has had a string of court defeats over the last week and a half. So the administration is going all the way to the top government attorneys filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court yesterday asking the justices to stay a lower court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees. The administration argues that's just one sign of a judicial branch power grab that only the high court can stop. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu joins us now with the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The nation's statisticians worry about the state of federal data-gathering Mar 25, 2025

President Trump recently cited from the oval office statistics about the state of the U.S. education system. What he didn't say is that we know about student achievement levels thanks to data gathered by the Education Department itself. One of the government's most vital activities is the gathering of reliable statistics to guide policy. My next guest says the quality of national statistics has become a concern. Consultant Nancy Potok is the former chief statistician of the United States, and she joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Mar 25, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The nation's statisticians worry about the state of f
federal data-gathering
Census Bureau advisors are feeling like they don't count
Contractors face new setback in getting paid for their work

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Census Bureau advisors are feeling like they don't count Mar 25, 2025

Commerce Secretary Howard Luttnick has disbanded three Census Bureau external advisory groups. Gone are the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, the National Advisory Committee on Race, Ethic and other Populations and the 2030 Census Advisory Committee. The community surrounding the Census Bureau is concerned. Joining me with what this all means, the director of government affairs at the Population Association of America, Mary Jo Mitchell.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, March 24, 2025 Mar 24, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Hate the idea of a private postal service? Hold on a minute
The nation's newest military museum opens tomorrow
Congress gets back to serious business this week like your budget

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The nation's newest military museum opens tomorrow Mar 24, 2025

Very few military service members achieve the Medal of Honor. Now they have a museum. In fact, today is the first full day of operation for the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas. For details, the museum's executive director, Cory Crowley, joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Draft EO would make GSA the center of most common buys Mar 24, 2025

The White House is bringing centralized procurement back to government. President Donald Trump signed an executive order late last week that puts the General Services Administration in charge of buying all products and services in 10 categories. Federal News Network's Jason Miller broke the story.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress gets back to serious business this week like your budget Mar 24, 2025

Congress re-convenes this week. It'll get to the brass tacks of the President Donald Trump agenda including a big tax cut and what to do about the 2026 budget. We get the rundown now from WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USPS DOGE team will have limited access to agency data, DeJoy tells lawmakers Mar 24, 2025

The Postal Service is letting a team from the Department of Government Efficiency help out with its reform efforts. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says DOGE will bring a new perspective to problems he spent years trying to solve. Still, DeJoy tells members of Congress that DOGE will look at a narrow set of issues with limited access to agency data. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hate the idea of a private postal service? Hold on a minute Mar 24, 2025

Maybe privatizing parts of the U. S. Postal Service isn't such a bad idea. Nations have a wide range of models for operating their postal services ranging to fully outsourced to industry. On the other hand, no one matches the scale of the U.S. Postal Service. The Postal Service office of inspector general's new white paper details how postal services work in more than two dozen nations. Here with the highlights, research manager John Althen.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Inside one of the lawsuits against Trump administration actions Mar 21, 2025

Many groups have launched lawsuits against the Trump administration in recent weeks. Among them, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and others has sued over DOGE access to the Treasury Department payment apparatus. For why it brought suit, EPIC's senior counsel John Davisson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal wildland firefighters secure permanent pay raise, but work is ‘far from over’ Mar 21, 2025

After years of pushing for reforms, federal wildland firefighters have just secured a permanent pay increase. Part of the continuing resolution Congress passed this week included legislation to create a new pay system for front line workers. But federal union leaders are still looking at a number of other challenges facing wild land firefighters here with the latest Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sunshine Week comes amid darkening clouds for open gov advocates Mar 21, 2025

It's the Friday of Sunshine Week, and a top house lawmaker is putting the spotlight on Freedom of Information Act staffing at agencies. Representative Gerry Connolly of Northern Virginia says the Trump administration threatens FOIA, but challenges with FOIA backlogs and staffing actually stretch back years. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How cities and the federal government can deal with homeless encampments Mar 21, 2025

Cities across the country have become dotted with unsightly homeless encampments. They're in parks, along beaches, under bridges. President Trump has ordered the camps in Washington D.C. swept away. What exactly is a good way for cities and the federal government to deal with the homeless...and the encampments. For one view, we turn to the founder and CEO of Dignity Moves, Elizabeth Funk.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, March 21, 2025 Mar 21, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Inside one of the lawsuits against Trump administration actions
How cities and the federal government can deal with homeless encampments

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, March 20, 2025 Mar 20, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Military prototypes work great if you know how to use them
We now know the source of the most fraud against federal programs
How to deal financially with your emerging federal job in security

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We now know the source of the most fraud against federal programs Mar 20, 2025

Like it or not, fraud is part of life for government as much as for any other sector. For the government, fraud claims hundred of billions of dollars a year. TransUnion has completed a comprehensive study of the sources of fraud. The company's director of research and consulting, Greg Schlichter.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to deal financially with your emerging federal job in security Mar 20, 2025

The deal for civil service used to be, lower potential lifetime earnings in exchange for job security and retirement benefits. Now a new job insecurity has emerged. Feds need to change their thinking and prepare for loss of income and annuity. Advice now from certified financial planner Art Stein of Arthur Stein Financial.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House cloud first to cloud smart Mar 20, 2025

A little walk down cloud memory lane. The federal government's move to the cloud didn't start with the December 2010 Cloud First policy. You can trace the idea of third party application and data hosting back to the 1990s. Still as part of Federal News Network's 25th anniversary celebration, we chose the White House cloud first to cloud smart policies as one of the top 25 federal moments over the last 25 years. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me now with a look back.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defense topline in reconciliation bill likely to exceed $100 billion Mar 20, 2025

The Pentagon would get more than $100 billion in additional funding through budget reconciliation aimed at 2026 budget talks. But members don't really agree where the money should go, or even on the amount. For that matter, one member of the House Armed Services Committee says it should not be funneled into major defense programs. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Military prototypes work great if you know how to use them Mar 20, 2025

Few systems make it to the battlefield without first having been prototypes. Yet too many prototypes don't make it to production. Procurement analysts at George Mason University's Baroni Center have completed a detailed look at the power of prototyping and how to get more out of it. For highlights, we turn to senior fellow Stephanie Halcrow.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IRS puts fired probationary employees on paid leave. Many doubt they’re here to stay Mar 19, 2025

The IRS is reinstating thousands of fired, probationary employees. Many returnees doubt

they'll stay, though that's because the agency is looking at more workforce cuts at the end of the tax filing season. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The best thing about other-transaction-authority acquisitions may not be there after all Mar 19, 2025

It's no secret the Defense Department and other agencies have been using other-transaction-authority acquisitions more than more. One reason is they help agencies get things done faster. And easier without the conditions of regular buys under the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Plus, OTA acquisitions come without the headaches of protests. Or do they? We get the latest from Haynes Boone procurement attorney Zach Prince.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before spending billions on this technology, the Defense Department should make sure it works Mar 19, 2025

The Defense Department is planning to spend billions of dollars on satellites that communicate by laser. But officials at the Space Development Agency can't say for sure whether space laser communications works. Or at least all of its contractors haven't shown this capability. More now from the director of the contracting and national security acquisitions team at the Government Accountability Office, Jon Ludwigson.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump administration’s OPM eyeing career human capital leaders in new guidance Mar 19, 2025

The Trump administration has aimed its cross hairs at yet another group of federal executives, Chief Human Capital Officers. The Office of Personnel Management recommends that agencies designate their CHCOs as general rather than career reserved, and that would open up many human capital leadership positions to becoming political appointments. Here with the latest, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Mar 19, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Time to restore some rationality to government purchase card policy
Before spending billions on this technology, the Defense Department should make sure it works
The best thing about other-transaction-authority acquisitions may not be there after all

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Time to restore some rationality to government purchase card policy Mar 19, 2025

When the White House froze the government's credit cards, it really gummed up the works. The long running purchase card program has saved untold millions of paperwork hours and saved the government billions of dollars. Here to inject some rational thinking about card usage, long-time federal procurement executive, and now a consultant, Shauna Weatherly.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25,000 fired feds reinstated after courts find probationary terminations illegal Mar 18, 2025

Tens of thousands of federal employees who were fired during their probationary periods

have their jobs back on paper anyway. In a court filing last night, the Trump administration

detailed the process agencies have gone through to reinstate those fired workers in the aftermath of a judge's ruling that found the terminations were illegal. But the administration also made clear it's not happy about having to process those reinstatements, and it's still fighting in federal appeals court. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu is here with more on the legal process and the details on which agencies are undoing those terminations.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Mar 18, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Bureau of Prison employees try to deal with agency-side pay cuts
Is government accountability in shrinking mode?
Is Justice going after its own immigration judges?

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is government accountability in shrinking mode? Mar 18, 2025

You may never have heard of the Open Government Federal Advisory Committee. Too late. Operating under the auspices of the General Services Administration, it's another casualty of the Trump administration. For one view of what the committee did and why this matters, we turn to the executive director of the American Governance Institute, Dan Schuman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unions sue DHS to save TSA collective bargaining contract Mar 18, 2025

Lawsuits targeting the Trump administration's personnel activities are piling up. Now a group of unions is suing the Transportation Security Administration over cancelation of collective bargaining rights. It came straight from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bureau of Prison employees try to deal with agency-side pay cuts Mar 18, 2025

Among its many struggles, the Bureau of Prisons has trouble retaining correctional officers. Recently, the Justice Department ended a long-running incentive pay plan cutting officers' and other employees' pay by up to 25%. The cuts are supposed to go into effect this month. For a reaction and update, we turn to the president of one Bureau of Prisons union local president, Aaron McGlothin.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Justice going after its own immigration judges? Mar 18, 2025

Administrative law judges who rule on immigration proceedings they work for the Justice Department. Justice, under attorney general Pam Bondi, has decided that rules protecting administrative law judges from removal are unconstitutional. This as immigration court backlogs stretch out for decades. Analysis now from University of Pennsylvania law professor Cary Coglianese.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a weekend like this, what's next on Capitol Hill Mar 17, 2025

Somehow, by the magic of politics, Congress managed to pass a continuing resolution to get the government funded. So the lights will stay on until September 30th at least at the offices the Trump administration doesn’t close and sell off. Congress has a lot more to do, though. We get the rundown from Bloomberg deputy news director Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a weekend like this, what's next on Capitol Hill Mar 17, 2025

Somehow, by the magic of politics, Congress managed to pass a continuing resolution to get the government funded. So the lights will stay on until September 30th at least at the offices the Trump administration doesn’t close and sell off. Congress has a lot more to do, though. We get the rundown from Bloomberg deputy news director Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, March 17, 2025 Mar 17, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Park Rangers want their probationary employees re-hired
Advice for feds who took the fork in the road resignation offer
After a weekend like this, what's next on Capitol Hill

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Advice for feds who took the fork in the road resignation offer Mar 17, 2025

Some 40 thousand federal employees have resigned per the Trump administration's fork-in-the-road offer. They've been promised full pay for the rest of the fiscal year. What about pension benefits? Or access to the Federal Employee Health Benefits plans? We get some answers from long-time federal employment attorney Alan Lescht.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More from our sit down with Comptroller General Gene Dodaro Mar 17, 2025

Federal budgets, spending and appropriations the top parlor topics these days. You could almost forget that runaway entitlement and debt service spending are gaining momentum. Like a python constricting the life out of the republic. For a measured account of how Congress might proceed, I spoke with Comptroller General Gene Dodaro.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Park Rangers want their probationary employees re-hired Mar 17, 2025

National Park rangers are pushing back against firings of probationary employees. Two associations tell NPC acting director Jessica Bowron the firings were illegal and the Park Service should being the people back. For more of what's going on, we turn to the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, Bill Wade.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Days ahead of coming BOP pay cuts, some employees already resigning Mar 17, 2025

23,000 employees at the Federal Bureau of Prisons have less than a week before their pay gets cut. The BOP plans to reduce or even eliminate retention incentives. The agency says it has to make the cuts to deal with budget shortfalls elsewhere. BOP's union members warn the slashed pay will worsen an already bad staffing shortage here with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A former Education Department executive on what's going on now Mar 14, 2025

The Education Department under Secretary Linda McMahon plans to reduce staff by 50 percent. She said the department will continue to offer programs required by statute; student loans, formula funding, Pell Grants and a couple of others. Meantime some 600 employees accepted the earlier governmentwide offer of deferred resignation. What might be next? We get one view from a former assistant secretary for communications and outreach, Peter Cunningham.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If service to the citizen improves or worsens, President Trump will own it Mar 14, 2025

Successive presidents, including president Trump, have made it policy to improve the service citizens get from the federal government. But with all of the reductions in the federal workforce going on, my next guest says threaten service. American University professor emeritus Bob Tobias joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, March 14, 2025 Mar 14, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

He recently left US-AID but stays in the humanitarian sector
If service to the citizen improves or worsens, President Trump will own it
A former Education Department executive on what's going on now

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Layoffs, possible shutdown put contractors in uneasy state Mar 14, 2025

The looming partial government shutdown would hit federal contractors when many are already feeling down. At least one company is already starting to feel the effects of the Trump administration's efforts to terminate what it says are duplicative or nonessential contracts. Now, a possible shutdown threatens even more dire circumstances for what's happening in the contractor community, Federal News Networks's Executive Editor Jason Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal judge orders reinstatement of probationary employees targeted by mass firings at most agencies Mar 14, 2025

A big part of the Trump administration's plans to shrink the federal workforce has hit some hurdles. U.S. District Court Judge William also ordered several agencies to reinstate thousands of recently fired probationary employees. The judge said agencies have the authority to order mass layoffs, but these firings didn't do it right? Federal News Network's Jory Heckman brings us the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

He recently left USAID but stays in the humanitarian sector Mar 14, 2025

What do you do when you leave the U.S. Agency for International Development? In the case of my next guest, you stay in the field of humanitarian assistance. He was national security advisor to the U.S. AID administrator. And he's the new director of communications, advocacy, and impact at the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. Colin Thomas-Jensen joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If Congress ends up funding the government will the plan be good for government employees? Mar 13, 2025

While Congress struggles to fund the government through September, the Trump administration is working to make sure there's less of it to fund. Here with some provisions to watch out for, from the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, John Hatton.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to ensure your financial and physical health in uncertain times Mar 13, 2025

Federal employees worried about their jobs are also worried about their family finances and health care coverage. In fact, cash flow and health care *should* be at the top of your concerns now. More now from RMG Financial Advisors certified financial planner Thiago Glieger.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, March 13, 2025 Mar 13, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

This group organizes to help former feds find new work
If Congress ends up funding the government will the plan be good for government employees?
How to ensure your financial and physical health in uncertain times

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

White House nominates top leaders for CISA, other DHS components Mar 13, 2025

The White House is filling out its roster at the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump has picked several familiar faces to serve in leadership roles at the cyber security and infrastructure security agency and a few other DHS components, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has the rundown.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This group organizes to help former feds find new work Mar 13, 2025

Two former federal employees started a non-profit to help federal employees find new careers. This as the Trump administration looks for ways to reduce the federal workforce by tens or hundreds of thousands. Karen Lee and Julie Cerquerira co-founded Feds Forward, and they join me now in studio.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How 2016 NDAA transformed OTAs into key defense contracting tool Mar 13, 2025

Other Transaction Authority, or OTA, has been around for nearly six decades. Agencies have used this type of contracting with research labs, universities and small businesses to build prototypes. The 2016 defense policy bill changed what was once a rarely used contracting method into a popular tool, billions for moving innovative technologies into production Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has followed this as part of our 25th year look back.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

10 years in, the Defense Innovation Unit needs to pivot Mar 12, 2025

It's hard to believe the Defense Innovation Unit has been operating for 10 years. Through rapid acquisition, it's funded hundreds of military prototypes from commercial technologies. Now, as the DIU moves to version 3-dot-oh, its moving past prototypes into production. The Government Accountability Office urges DIU to develop better metrics for these products are in fact helping the military. More now from the GAO's director for contracting and national security acquisitions, Bill Russell.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal Drive with Tom Temin - Wednesday, March 12, 2025 Mar 12, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Trump administration has dispensed with the government's feedstock
10 years in, the Defense Innovation Unit needs to pivot
Return to office depends on having an office to return to

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration has dispensed with the government's feedstock Mar 12, 2025

The highly visible dismissal of probationary federal employees will have lasting damage. That's according to several good-government groups. Among them, the Partnership for Public Service. Vice president Michelle Amante joins me with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's ahead for the MSPB after Limon retirement Mar 12, 2025

The Merit Systems Protection Board is down one member after Raymond Limon retired. His departure puts the MSPB in danger of lacking a quorum if one of the two remaining members were to leave this as the board faces a mass of cases from recently fired federal employees. Federal News Network's drew Friedman got more when she spoke with Limon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Return to office depends on having an office to return to Mar 12, 2025

The General Services Administration, by published reports, has been terminating leases with commercial landlords. The rules for acquiring and un-acquiring rented real estate differ a lot from those for everything else the government buys. A review now from Haynes Boone procurement attorney Dan Ramish.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How reforming the federal personnel system can lead to successful mission outcomes Mar 11, 2025

Before the Trump administration started blitzing the civil service six weeks ago, decades have passed since the last major attempt to reform the federal personnel system. Congress has done little to change federal workforce rules. At the same time, the Manhattan Institute Research shows state governments have demonstrated that changing public sector workforce rules comprehensively is not only possible, but can lead to more successful mission outcomes for possible federal lessons. Federal News Network's Jason Miller spoke with the institute's

Senior fellow, Judge Glock.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress pushes back on VA plan to cut thousands of jobs Mar 11, 2025

Veterans Affairs says it's looking at cutting tens of thousands of jobs later this year. Members of Congress are pushing back, citing possible harm to veterans. This as Congress looks for ways to plug a multi-billion dollar shortfall in VA s budget. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Mar 11, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Copyright Office takes on the sticky issue of artificial intelligence
Why fired federal employees are ideal for companies with talent shortages
Contractors spend the week getting ready for a government shutdown

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why fired federal employees are ideal for companies with talent shortages Mar 11, 2025

Government employees have the types of skills and experience that make them prime candidates for industries struggling with talent shortages. My next guest warns, though, that private sector companies need to prepare themselves for taking on former feds. He's the founder and president of Careerminds, Raymond Lee.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Contractors spend the week getting ready for a government shutdown Mar 11, 2025

The agencies may not be actively preparing for a lapse in appropriations. But contractors are. With a midnight, Friday deadline, and Congress more divided than ever a shutdown is a strong possibility. For steps contractors ought to be taking, we turn the president and CEO of the Professional Services Council, David Berteau.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Copyright Office takes on the sticky issue of artificial intelligence Mar 11, 2025

Artificial intelligences raises storms of questions in every domain it touches. Chief among them, copyright questions. Now the U.S. Copyright Office, a Congressional agency, has completed the second of two studies of AI and copyrights. This one deals with whether you can copyright outputs created using AI. For more, we turn to the Copyright Office's deputy general counsel, Emily Chapuis.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How will Congress resolve the budget with just days remaining before funds run out Mar 10, 2025

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our budget. With a continuing resolution set to expire Thursday, a full-year CR seems likely at this point. For the latest on this and everything else going on in Congress, we turn to WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Library of Congress office will never run out of things to do Mar 10, 2025

Among its duties, the Library of Congress preserves films, TV programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings. The field changes more than you might think. For what they're up to, we turn to the newly appointed Chief of the National Audio-Visual Conservation center, Rachel Stoeljte.

https://newsroom.loc.gov/news/library-appoints-new-chief-for-national-audio-visual-conservati@on-center/s/9e70a449-0de0-4609-85ae-07cf1e138478

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DHS moves to end collective bargaining for TSA officers Mar 10, 2025

The Trump administration prepares to end collective bargaining for tens of thousands of airport screeners. The move comes less than a year after Transportation Security Administration employees inked a seven year collective bargaining agreement via the American Federation of Government Employees Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday brings us the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trade groups urge the administration to maintain basic research funding Mar 10, 2025

Like many organizations, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation urges the Trump administration to maintain funding for basic research. Its Center for Life Sciences Innovation cites research showing that federal funding has catalyzed most of the transformative drugs developed in the U.S. More now from center's associate director, Sandra Babosu.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, March 10, 2025 Mar 10, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

his Library of Congress office will never run out of things to do
Trade groups urge the administration to maintain basic research funding
How will Congress resolve the budget with just days remaining before funds run out

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Top-ranking agencies from 2024 Best Places to Work now facing layoffs, RIFs Mar 10, 2025

Chaos may tarry for the night, but the Partnership for Public Service has come out with its Best Places to Work rankings for 2024. Some familiar agencies earned the top spots. The Partnership also found that last year, federal employees reached highest ever engagement scores. Well now agencies from both the top and the bottom face major workforce overhauls under the Trump administration. Here to summarize everything going on for us, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is DoD’s ‘what you did last week’ email just a pulse check? Mar 07, 2025

The Defense Department told its civilian workforce to respond to that controversial what you did last week email. Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a pulse check so the originators could see if there's someone at the other end of that request. That didn't stop mounting concerns over data security, how the information will be used, and conflicts of interest. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The federal high risk list in the comptroller general's own words Mar 07, 2025

Few events raise the hackles of believers in good government more than the biannual list of high-risk federal programs. Compiled by the Government Accountability Office, it details where the government is bleeding the most money and where it's in danger of operational failure. For his perspective on the high risk list, I spoke at length with GAO's chief, Comptroller General Gene Dodaro. We started with how many of these reports he's overseen.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Army building out its edge computing to match DoD target architecture Mar 07, 2025

Some federal business is going on normally. For instance, the Army is working hard at building its edge computing so it matches a target architecture put out by the Defense Department that calls for 91 specific capabilities in cyber. The army is at work on 58 of them for the moment. Federal News Network's Jason Miller got more from the director of the Army's functional management office for zero trust, Chief Warrant Officer for Ben Koontz.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new look at Biden-era rules for the National Science Foundation Mar 07, 2025

Just before it left office, the Biden administration proposed new guidelines for licensing inventions funded by the National Science Foundation. My next guest says the proposed rules exceed the NSF's authority. And that they thicken bureaucracy and micromanage the whole thing. Joe Allen is executive director of the Bayh-Dole Coalition, and he joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, March 7, 2025 Mar 07, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The federal high risk list in the comptroller general's own words
A new look at Biden-era rules for the National Science Foundation

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IRS employees returning to office, facing limited working space Mar 06, 2025

The IRS has called for nearly all of its employees to return to their offices next week. In some cases, there won't be enough office space for everybody, so management tells employees to get creative with the space they do have. This as the IRS, like nearly every other agency, is also shedding office space. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How FEDVIP changed the game for vision, dental benefits Mar 06, 2025

Federal employees and retirees might be used to the options they can get through the federal employee dental health and vision insurance program, but it hasn't always been that way. It was back in 2006 that federal employees first got access to much broader dental and vision coverage through that program. Here with a review and as part of our 25th anniversary look back, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Looking for a post-government job? There's a database for that Mar 06, 2025

A one-time Justice Department prosecutor who also served at the state level, is now in private consulting. To help find people for his own, and for his clients' talent pipelines, he's maintains a database of former federal experts in a number of professions. You might even want to be on it. Brian Levine joins me now in studio.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, March 6, 2025 Mar 06, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Looking for a post-government job? There's a database for that
How to stay good with EEO even without DEI
Some answers to questions about RIFs and early retirement

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some answers to questions about RIFs and early retirement Mar 06, 2025

Just what do you get if you're caught up in a reduction in force? And what about if you decide to retire early? Federal retirement expert Tammy Flanagan has been getting lots of these questions lately. She joins me now with a few answers.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to stay good with EEO even without DEI Mar 06, 2025

Career federal managers have been asking themselves, how the heck can I operate in the chaotic environment of DOGE? And if I throw out diversity, equity and inclusion, how can I make sure I'm not running afoul of equal employment opportunity rules. We get some answers from my next guest. He's a former EEOC trial attorney and founder of Employment Learning Innovations, Stephen Paskoff.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Long awaited update of conflict-of-interest rules is in the works Mar 05, 2025

The Federal Acquisition Council has awoken to the need to revise organizational conflict of interest rules for federal contractors. Congress mandated the change in 2022. Fifteen years have passed since the last revision. Haynes Boone procurement attorney Zach Prince has been following this rule and he joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Mar 05, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are slowly sinking
Long awaited update of conflict-of-interest rules is in the works
Federal researchers get a chance to pitch their research at a special event today

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawrence Livermore's Brian Spears, Judy Hill on achieving unprecedented AI advancements Mar 05, 2025

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory houses some of the world's most advanced

supercomputers. Now it's home to the very fastest called El Capitan. El Capitan is 16 times more powerful than Sierra its predecessor. Both machines support the National Nuclear Security Administration's stockpile stewardship. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis got more from the labs director of artificial intelligence innovation, Brian Spears, and from computational science leader, Judy Hill.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA canceling 585 contracts, part of GSA led initiative targeting top 10 vendors Mar 05, 2025

The Veterans Affairs Department is canceling 585 contracts that are deemed nonessential or duplicative. The VA effort is part of a government wide initiative led by the General Services Administration recall we reported last week, GSA is telling agencies to target 10 major vendors who receive the most money through consulting contracts. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller, has been digging deeper into the data about consulting contracts. He joins us now to tell us what he found.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Navy's shipbuilding capabilities are slowly sinking Mar 05, 2025

The Navy has invested billions in its shipbuilding industrial base. But the results haven't come in. Ships take to long to build. And often too long to repair. Navy officials can't say for certain how well their investments are paying off, that's according to the latest look-see by the Government Accountability Office. For details, we turn to the GAO's director for contracting and national security acquisition, Shelby Oakley.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal researchers get a chance to pitch their research at a special event today Mar 05, 2025

Later today, the National Lab Research SLAM will bring 17 early career scientists from the Department of Energy’s national laboratories to present their cutting-edge research in a fast-paced, engaging competition. The event is sponsored by the House Science & National Labs Caucus and the Senate National Labs Caucus, and gives federal science agencies to showcase their role in advancing innovation and developing the next generation of STEM leaders. To learn more about the event, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Christine Zachow, Manager of the Academic Engagement Office & Science Education Operations at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, as well as Meg Rodriguez, Director of the Career Pathways office at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, who you'll hear from first.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What nearly a billion in canceled federal contracts could mean for education Mar 04, 2025

The DOGE has bit hard into the Education Department. It canceled nearly $900 million in contracts from the department's research division. Some of the research was directed at what helps students achieve school success. Here with one reaction on this approach the strategic advisor in the education policy program at New America, Lisa Guernsey.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senate Dems asking Air Force secretary nominee if he helped SpaceX secure lucrative satellite contract Mar 04, 2025

Two Democratic senators are pressing President Donald Trump's nominee for Air Force

Secretary over allegations that he helped Elon Musk's Space X secure a multi-billion dollar satellite contract Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has the details.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Mar 04, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

What nearly a billion in canceled federal contracts could mean for education
The Marine Corps aims to prove its chops in drone operation
Once again, GSA finds itself in the center of a hubbub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

‘How you do it matters’: GAO heightens concerns about federal workforce Mar 04, 2025

Three dozen odd critical government functions face special risk of waste, fraud and abuse. That's according to the latest version of the Government Accountability Office's High Risk List. GAO says more than half the challenges come from gaps in workforce skills. Agencies either don't have the people with the right skills or they don't have enough people in the first place. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Once again, GSA finds itself in the center of a hubbub Mar 04, 2025

The General Services Administration is often one of the go-to agencies for new administrations that want to get things done. That includes the first and second Trump administrations. For a review of recent developments, we turn to someone who will be a regular guest here on the Federal Drive. She was the administrator of the GSA for Trump 45, now a senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting.. Emily Murphy joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Marine Corps aims to prove its chops in drone operation Mar 04, 2025

If modern warfare depends on drones, the Marine Corps aims to be at the front of the fight. The Marines have established a competitive drone team under the auspices of the training command and Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. The team will compete in something called the Military Drone Crucible Championship. For details, we turn to the president of the U.S. National Drone Association, Nathan Ecelbarger.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA tells agencies to target top 10 consulting firms for cuts Mar 03, 2025

The General Services Administration is making a second, more direct push for agencies to cut what it calls non essential consulting contracts. The push comes with a deadline of March 7, and this time, it's telling agencies to target contractors agencies are spending the most with, by some estimates, $65 billion. Federal News Network's Jason Miller has been on top of this, and he joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pandemic era financial losses still haven't run their course Mar 03, 2025

The pandemic is long behind the country. And now the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery is about to sunset. But not before issuing a final report to Congress. One members ought to pay attention to. The government faces big losses yet to come in the Main Street Lending Program. Highlights now from the assistant inspector general for pandemic recovery, Geoff Cherrington.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Not only what government does, but how it does it, that too needs rethinking Mar 03, 2025

Maybe the government does need a complete rebuild. My next guest points out, deficit spending rolls on out of control by what he calls the red tape state. Regulation also keeps growing wider and more complex. While DOGE focuses on cutting what the government does, the nation also has to think of *how* the government does what it does. For more we turn to the chairman of the legal reform group Common Good, Philip Howard.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- March 3, 2025 Mar 03, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Pandemic era financial losses still haven't run their course
Not only what government does, but how it does it, that too needs rethinking
Congress approaches the red zone for getting a '25 spending package done

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress approaches the red zone for getting a '25 spending package done Mar 03, 2025

With everything else going on, you could almost forget the continuing resolution funding the government expires in two weeks. A lot is riding on budget reconciliation as we check in with Bloomberg Government deputy news director Loren Duggan.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GAO’s Lindsey Saul on AI helping speed data analytics, improve oversight Mar 03, 2025

The Government Accountability Office is adopting artificial intelligence for its audits and evaluations of federal programs. AI helps the agency keep up with the growing volume of work requested by Congress for details. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman caught up with the GAO chief data officer, Lindsay Saul.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA gets GSA request to slash total number of employees who hold purchase cards Feb 28, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs is being asked to severely limit the number of employees who can make purchases through a governmentwide charge card program. That's a decision that could impact billions of dollars in annual spending. Meanwhile, the White House has put a freeze on government purchase cards, governmentwide. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Feinberg says his private equity background positions him to fix Pentagon Feb 28, 2025

Billionaire investor Steve Feinberg, President Donald Trump's choice for the Pentagon second in command, says his background as a private equity executive gives him the experience necessary to fix the Pentagon's long standing problems. Federal News Network's Anastasia. Obis joins us now with more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, February 28, 2025 Feb 28, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

If you held out for a RIF rather than taking the fork in the road, you may have an extra layer of protection
USAID and State: Smart way to save, or self-inflicted injury?
The rise of the executive order is more evident than ever

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USAID and State: Smart way to save, or self-inflicted injury? Feb 28, 2025

The Trump administration's treatment of the U.S. Agency for International Development crystallized the move-fast, take-no-prisoners approach. Opinions have broken out all across the spectrum. My next guest argues that shrinking USAID and merging it with the State Department only helps U.S. rivals strategically. Steven Kull is a senior research associate at the University of Maryland's school of public policy and he joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you held out for a RIF rather than taking the fork in the road, you may have an extra layer of protection Feb 28, 2025

With so much uncertainty around their employment status these days, some federal employees may be considering just resigning, rather than waiting to be told they've been terminated. According to our next guest though, that may not be the best route. To learn why we bring in Shauna Weatherly, president and founder of Federal Subcontract Solutions.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The rise of the executive order is more evident than ever Feb 28, 2025

Read about a new government initiative or program, and likely it's not coming from actions of Congress. More and more, federal policy is being established via executive order from the President, which more and more has left Congress as a legislative body on the sideline. For some insight into how we got here and what it could mean for future administrations, we bring in Joshua Spivak, senior fellow at the Hugh Carey Institution for Government Reform at Wagner College.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GSA’s Public Buildings Service seeks 63% cut to workforce in RIF Feb 27, 2025

The General Services Administration, like many other federal agencies, after yesterday's memo from the White House, is looking at major work force cuts. GSA in particular, is looking at slashing the Public Building Service. It's real estate operation that handles office space leasing for most other agencies. GSA's new policy says they'll need fewer employees once they manage fewer buildings. Federal News Network Jory Heckman has the latest.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Executive branch layoffs dump work on Congressional staff Feb 27, 2025

Congress has faced a series of crises in its casework function. My next guest says layoffs in the executive branch lessen agencies' abilities to deal with citizens. So citizens turn to Congress to expedite casework. And that's starting to overwhelm congressional offices. Anne Meeker is a former Congressional staff member and now Popvox Foundation deputy director. She joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Energy Department invest more in fusion energy Feb 27, 2025

The Energy Department via the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is boosting research into fusion energy. It's signed a cooperative research and development agreement, a CRADA, with a company called Focused Energy. Here is the details, Focused Energy's Harris Walker.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Thursday, February 27, 2025 Feb 27, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Executive branch layoffs dump work on Congressional staff
How to keep the courts out of administrative decisions
The Energy Department invest more in fusion energy

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to keep the courts out of administrative decisions Feb 27, 2025

My next guest worked for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau until today when the Trump administration sort of canceled. Ironically, this CFPB attorney wrote about how to count-proof administrative branch decisions. That was in December, before the onslaught of Trump-Doge activities that have mostly ended up in court. Attorney Domenic Powell joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MSPB puts brakes on at least some probationary feds’ terminations Feb 27, 2025

A half dozen probationary feds swept up in the government's mass layoffs got some good news this week. They're getting their jobs back, at least for now. The Merit Systems Protection Board found there's at least some evidence that their firings were unlawful, but this week's MSPB decision leaves a lot of questions still open, and one of the biggest does the same rationale apply to thousands of other feds who were recently let go during their probationary periods. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has been following this case. He joins us now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The firing of probationary federal employees sparks legal questions Feb 26, 2025

The firings of 1000s of federal employees have sparked a flurry of legal questions. There are plenty of nuances in the rules for probationary federal employees, and some legal eagles say agencies may have made errors or skirted probationary rules. Many fired feds have already filed appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board Federal News Network's drew Friedman gets more from Federal Practice Group founder, Attorney Deborah D'Agostino.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OMB Deputy Director nominee defends firing of probationary federal employees Feb 26, 2025

The nominee to be Deputy Director for budget at the Office of Management and Budget is pushing back against the idea that the firing of probationary federal employees was indiscriminate. Former Congressman Dan Bishop told senators during his nomination hearing there are good reasons for agencies to let go of these employees. No surprise, Democrats disagreed. Federal News Network's executive editor, Jason Miller, brings us more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reform doesn't come easily to the agency that guards the nuclear weapons stockpile Feb 26, 2025

Among the agencies trying to reform themselves, the National; Nuclear Security Administration. Reform requires certain best practices to be in place, including metrics and measurements. The NNSA needs a little work. That's among the finding from a Government Accountability Office audit. Details now from GAO's director of natural resources and environment, Allison Bawden.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to maintain sanity in what seems like an insane environment Feb 26, 2025

For federal employees, the world has turned upside down. Is it possible to create a healthy work environment with all of the DOGE stuff going on? Is it possible to concentrate on the work you thought you were hired to do? Here with some practical advice, Rice University organizational psychologist Danielle King.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Wednesday, February 26, 2025 Feb 26, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

How to maintain sanity in what seems like an insane environment
Reform doesn't come easily to the agency that guards the nuclear weapons stockpile
A retired intelligence chief human capital officer has some leadership advice

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A retired intelligence chief human capital officer has some leadership advice Feb 26, 2025

Maybe because he was a spy, but my next guest has some novel ideas about leadership in places like large federal agencies. He's written a book about it called How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation. Mike Mears retired as chief human capital officer of the CIA, and he joins me now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

OPM says federal employed military spouses exempted from return-to-office, but some are skeptical Feb 25, 2025

After public pressure from members of Congress, the Office of Personnel Management said it has categorically, that's OPM word, exempted Federally Employed military spouses from the return to the office mandate. The memo is celebrated as a success in some quarters, but military spouses themselves, they're not so sure. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Feb 25, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Is it time to face the prospect of a privatized Postal Service?
One Congressmen helps out his federal employee constituents
A vague Pentagon memo has some contractors on edge

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VA reinstates some fired employees, but 36 senators push for rehiring all 1,000 back Feb 25, 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs is in the process of reinstating some of the probationary employees it recently fired, but Senate Democrats are calling on VA to go one step further and rehire the entire 1000 of them. Lawmakers say some probationary VA employees worked in critical positions, including assisting the Veterans Crisis Line. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One Congressmen helps out his federal employee constituents Feb 25, 2025

Prince George's County, Maryland, is one of the three Maryland and Virginia counties, along with Alexandria, that border the District of Columbia. Like the others, it's home to thousands of federal employees. In light of orders from the Trump Administration, Maryland Congressman Glen Ivey whose district includes Prince George's County wants to help. He joins me in studio now with plans for a resource fair coming up soon.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is it time to face the prospect of a privatized Postal Service? Feb 25, 2025

The Postal Service has entered new turmoil with the departure of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. It's midway through a controversial reform plan. It continues to lose billions of dollars yearly. My next guest says it's time to seriously consider privatizing USPS. He's an economist and vice president for research at the Cato Institute, Jeffrey Miron.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A vague Pentagon memo has some contractors on edge Feb 25, 2025

An acting undersecretary has told managers throughout the Defense Department to review contracts for consulting services. Not just a casual review, but with an eye towards terminating or what Steve Morani called descoping them. This as agencies are terminating services contracts across the government. The Professional Services Council has been tracking all of this. We get some analysis by its executive vice president for policy, Stephanie Kostro.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DoD to fire 5,400 probationary employees next week, with hiring freeze to follow Feb 24, 2025

Plenty of federal agencies have begun deep cuts to their workforces – starting with probationary employees. The Defense Department is next up. The Pentagon says it will start laying off those new hires this week. About 54-hundred people are expected to be let go this week as part of what DoD says is just the start of a broader workforce reduction effort. Federal News Network’s Jared Serbu joins the Federal Drive with more on what’s happening this week and beyond.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congress remains in a reactionary stance to the whims of President Trump Feb 24, 2025

After an all night session last Thursday, the Senate has adopted a 340 billion dollar budget blueprint to try and implement the Trump administration's agenda. That agenda seems to include letting go more federal employees, which is starting to get bipartisan pushback as more and more districts are affected. For more on all of this, WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchel Miller joins us now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Presidential Management Fellows ‘at a loss’ after Trump orders program’s elimination Feb 24, 2025

President Donald Trump has ordered the elimination of the Presidential Management Fellows

Program. Trump's mandate will end a government wide effort that has recruited early career talent in the federal workforce for nearly 50 years. Since the news of the program's termination, many current and former fellows now say they're at a loss. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman files this report.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How tariffs will affect the Defense Department supply chain Feb 24, 2025

The Trump administration has imposed, or threatened to impose, tariffs on several countries, including China. Trump wants to replace imported goods with goods manufactured in the United States. In the meantime, one commodity crucial to national security is still mostly made in Asia. Printed circuit boards, the foundation of electronic systems used in communications and defense. For how would tariffs affect these products, we turn to the executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America, David Schild.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Monday, February 24, 2025 Feb 24, 2025

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The argument in favor of keeping agency headquarters right where they are
How tariffs will affect the Defense Department supply chain
Congress remains in a reactionary stance to the whims of President Trump

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The argument in favor of keeping agency headquarters right where they are Feb 24, 2025

The Trump administration has promised to move the headquarters of some agencies away from the Washington area. There's even legislation proposing this called the Strategic Withdrawal of Agencies for Meaningful Placement. Yep, the swamp act. My next guest says he's skeptical this would help much or save money. You might not like his alternative, but its an idea that also has support. From the conservative Cato Institute, former economic committee staff member Chris Edwards.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How artificial intelligence is energizing information technology Feb 21, 2025

Technology is like a flywheel. Flywheels do a lot of work, but they slow down if the don't get an injection of new energy. Artificial intelligence looks like the energy coming into the flywheel of information technology. My next guest has looked into this. He's the chief technology officer at Booz Allen, Bill Vass.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Federal Drive with Tom Temin -- Friday, February 21, 2025 Feb 21, 2025

Today on the Federal Newscast

A Biden appointee sues to keep her job under Trump
How artificial intelligence is energizing information technology

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawmakers press Hegseth about cost, morale, readiness impact of border operations Feb 21, 2025

President Trump's order directing the military to seal the border with Mexico gave the Pentagon a big part in immigration enforcement. The Defense Department has said the southern border operations will cost nearly a billion dollars over the next eight months. Some members of Congress say the department doesn't have a realistic estimate. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis brings us the latest in that cost estimate.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected