The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

Latest Episodes:

Federal workforce losses had steeper impact on probationary employees Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

At most agencies, probationary employees left their jobs at a higher rate than other federal workers in 2025. That’s according to analysis of about two dozen agencies in a new report from the Government Accountability Office. Early last year, agencies implemented mass terminations of employees on their probationary period, who have limited job protections. For a look at how those separations panned out, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman spoke with GAO's director of strategic issues, Dawn Locke.

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

House NDAA provision could derail Army data center projects Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

The Army is warning that an amendment in the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the 2026 defense policy bill could discourage technology companies from building data centers on military installations and jeopardize the service’s modernization efforts. 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.

When the rules change, people will change how they work Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

The rollout of Schedule Policy/Career and a proposed government-wide nondisclosure agreement are putting new pressure on how federal employees think about their jobs from security and accountability to what they’re willing to say out loud. The effects are starting to show up in real ways across agencies. John Hatton of NARFE connects the dots 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 at a pivot point on reconciliation and the defense bill Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Questions about the future of another reconciliation package are rippling through Congress, with implications for how and when lawmakers take up the annual defense policy bill. Mitchell Miller joins us with the latest from Capitol Hill.

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

Agencies are doubling down on AI upskilling, but new research suggests they may be solving the wrong problem Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

There’s a growing push to build new skills across government, especially in AI. But if the surrounding systems don’t support that learning, the investment may not translate into performance. A new body of research is challenging how agencies think about the problem. Here to share those findings and recommendations is he Upskilling Lead in the Administrative Modernization Program at Oregon State University, Dr. Priyanka Dave.

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 15, Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Coming up today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

When the rules change, people will change how they work
Agencies are doubling down on AI upskilling, but new research suggests they may be solving the wrong problem
Congress is at a pivot point on reconciliation and the defense bill

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

AI directive focuses patching efforts on ‘highest risk’ vulnerabilities Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

The emergence of artificial intelligence-driven cyber threats is forcing a shift in how agencies manage software vulnerabilities. In a new directive released this week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency laid out how agencies should prioritize the highest risk vulnerabilities on their networks. For more, Federal News Network 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.

White House polices hitting small business contractors hard, Senator says Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

New data from Democrats on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee shine fresh light on just how rough its been for many small business contractors over the last 15 months. A new report from Senator Ed Markey, ranking member of the committee, found since January 2025 when President Donald Trump took office, agencies have reduced spending by 19% and thousands of small firms have left the federal market. For exclusive details on this new data and what it means for federal small business 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.

The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Friday, June 12, 2026 Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

ARPA‑H is testing a model to make research faster, more repeatable, and less dependent on where or with whom you work
A lot of health AI isn’t where you think it is and it’s not overseen the way you might expect
The people who rely on Medicaid helped design a plan to curb fraud without putting their own care at risk

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

ARPA‑H is testing a model to make research faster, more repeatable and less dependent on where or with whom you work Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

The limits of biomedical research often come down to access, tools, networks and where the work happens. ARPA‑H is piloting a system meant to level that out while improving reliability. Here to tell us how this will all work is Dr. Paul Sheehan, program manager for IGOR at ARPA‑H.

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