The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Latest Episodes:

The House passed its version of the 2027 defense policy, it could mean changes for DoD's civilian workforce Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

The House narrowly passed its version of the fiscal 2027 defense policy bill last week despite strong Democratic opposition over the bill’s price tag, the war with Iran and a provision that would expand military partnership between the United States and Israel. While much of the attention surrounding the National Defense Authorization Act focuses on the bill’s massive price tag, foreign policy and partisan riders, the must-pass package includes several provisions affecting the Defense Department's civilian workforce. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis joins us to break down what measures impacting civilians made it into the bill and what was left out.

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

It takes a lot for public servants to speak out. More than 1,200 former DOJ officials decided they needed to Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

A coalition of 1,200 former Justice Department officials took the unusual step of publicly opposing the nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Beyond the confirmation debate itself, the episode raises questions about trust, morale and the environment facing career employees. Here with more on what this reveals about today's Justice Department workforce is the executive director and founder of The Justice Connection, Stacey Young.

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, July 29, 2026 Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

It takes a lot for public servants to speak out. More than 1,200 former Justice Department officials recently decided they needed to
An $11 billion price tag gets attention. Understanding what government lost in the process may take a lot longer
Two recent Supreme Court decisions may have changed the rules for some of government's most independent institutions

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

Two recent Supreme Court decisions may have changed the rules for some of government's most independent institutions Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

For decades, Congress has created boards, commissions and oversight bodies intended to operate with some distance from presidential control. Two recent Supreme Court decisions are providing new insight into how the Court views that balance and what it could mean for the people serving in those roles. Here to help us consider the implications is former FDIC Inspector General Jay Lerner.

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

An $11 billion price tag gets attention. Understanding what government lost in the process may take a lot longer Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Public Citizen has released a new analysis estimating that the deferred resignation program will cost taxpayers at least $11 billion. The report examines where that money went and what agencies may have lost as experienced employees left government service. That degraded mission performance is something much harder to put a price tag on. Here to walk through the analysis is Doug Pasternak, research director of Public Citizen’s Trump Accountability Project.

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

Army initiative to reshape how soldiers prepare for future wars expands to National Guard Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

An Army initiative that launched in 2024 wants to reshape how soldiers prepare for future wars. But as the "Transformation in Contact" program has expanded to include the Army National Guard, it's begun to strain the balance between staying ready for today's fight and looking ahead to the next one. Outdated facilities are making it hard to adapt to new technology, and that new technology has started to crowd spaces soldiers still need for regular operations and training. Federal News Network's defense reporter Rachel Cohen 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.

After a months-long pause, Space Development Agency launches new batch of satellites Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

It’s been a busy month for the Space Development Agency. After a months-long pause, SDA has just launched its next batch of satellites after it dealt with issues in the group of communications satellites known as Tranche 1. To explain that strategic pause, and what the agency learned from it. Jennifer Elzea, SDA’s director of strategic engagement talked with Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis.

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, July 28, 2026 Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The debate over controlled unclassified information is revealing a larger struggle over how government buys technology
The Defense Department is looking for new ways to bring commercial innovation and manufacturing capacity into the national security arena
Military leaders are drawing new lessons from conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and beyond. Those lessons are reshaping what they expect from industry and how quickly new capabilities need to reach the field

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

DoD is looking for new ways to bring commercial innovation and manufacturing capacity into the national security arena Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Building military capability takes more than defense contractors alone. Increasingly, the Pentagon is looking to commercial manufacturers, technology firms and other nontraditional partners to expand the defense industrial base. That's a topic drawing growing attention across the defense community, and my next guest says Michigan is becoming a focal point for that shift. Scott Davis is president of the NDIA Michigan Chapter.

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

The debate over controlled unclassified information is revealing a larger struggle over how government buys technology Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

The government says it wants greater access to commercial technology and innovation. But cybersecurity requirements, data protections and agency-specific policies can make the federal marketplace difficult to navigate. Joining me to discuss that balancing act is senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting and former GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy.

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