The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Latest Episodes:

White House PQC order ‘lights a fire’ under post-quantum transition Jun 25, 2026

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The White House is accelerating the governmentwide transition to post-quantum cryptography. In a new executive order, President Trump directs agencies to meet hard deadlines for adopting the PQC algorithms that will protect data from a future quantum computer. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me.

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Nuclear technology is moving fast, regulation has to keep up Jun 25, 2026

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Time at the International Atomic Energy Agency gave Anna Bradford a broader view of how countries approach nuclear safety and innovation. Now back at the NRC, she joins me to share how she’s applying those lessons as the U.S. navigates a new phase of reactor development.

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it’s entering a new era Jun 25, 2026

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A new reform push at ATF aims to reduce friction for lawful businesses and owners, while concentrating enforcement on willful violations. The challenge is maintaining that balance as expectations around safety and accountability remain high. Joining me to discuss ATF's shift in focus is the ATF director, Robert Cekada.

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Better decisions depend on data, but only if people can actually use it Jun 25, 2026

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We’re starting a new monthly series focused on how federal data works in the real world. Episode one looks at a Federal Data Field Guide aimed at helping users sort through different datasets and put them to work. Joining me now are Denice Ross and Chris Marcum.

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Thursday, June 25, 2026 Jun 25, 2026

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Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it’s entering a new era, one that resets how it regulates and enforces
Nuclear technology is moving fast, regulation has to keep up
Better decisions depend on data, but only if people can actually use it

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

More SEWP for contractors as NASA expands total awards Jun 24, 2026

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The wait is over for more than 1,400 vendors. NASA’s SEWP program office awarded spots on its sixth iteration of its governmentwide technology contract. In all, NASA made more than 2,100 awards under this governmentwide acquisition contract for IT products and services. For more on the SEWP VI awards, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me with details.

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 report increased burnout, low morale Jun 24, 2026

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As the summer wildfire season gets underway, federal wildland firefighters are facing an increasingly difficult situation on the job. Three out of four respondents to a recent survey say they have considered quitting within the past 12 months. That comes as the frontline workers face increasing burnout and low morale. Here with more, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.

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The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Wednesday, June 24, 2026 Jun 24, 2026

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Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

For years, commercial drones have been limited by how far operators can actually see them, that's about to change
As drones take on a bigger role in the airspace, the rules around them are getting more complicated but also more coordinated than you might expect
Electric aircraft are coming. The rules that will allow them to fly aren’t

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Electric aircraft are coming, the rules that will allow them to fly aren’t Jun 24, 2026

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It’s not just drones pushing aviation into new territory. Electric aircraft are edging closer to commercial use, but certification is still the gatekeeper. The FAA is trying to adapt existing rules while building a longer-term framework that can scale with new designs and risks. Joining me to explain that tension is Derrick Collins, Director of GAO’s Physical Infrastructure team.

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

Commercial drones have been limited by how far operators can actually see them, that's changing Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

A new FAA framework could allow drone operators to fly beyond visual line of sight, opening the door to expanded use in infrastructure inspection, agriculture and emergency response. The shift would move drone operations closer to routine use across the national airspace. Joining me to explain the impact and the integration challenge is former senior executive in the FAA’s National Security Division, Jose Martinez.

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