Policy

Pelosi: The GOP Is ‘Threatening a Partial Government Shutdown’

Democrats in the House accuse the GOP of gambling with the nation's security by pitching a plan to keep the Department of Homeland Security open if the White House backs off executive action on immigration. By Eric Katz

Threats

The US Navy Joins the Search for AirAsia Flight

Two Navy ships -- the USS Fort Worth and USS Sampson -- are aiding the Indonesian-led search effort. By Eric Katz

Business

Air Force Cancels Its Plans for Layoffs in 2015

The Air Force planned to carry out involuntary separation boards to meet budgetary requirements. This week, the plan changed. By Eric Katz

Business

Government Agencies Told To Prepare for Another Shutdown

The Office of Emergency Management is instructing federal agencies to get ready for another government shutdown as Congress continues to debate how to fund the government. By Eric Katz

Policy

Congress Has Many Ideas To Fix the Broken Security Clearance Process

Lawmakers have been practically stepping on each other’s toes with proposals to fix the security clearance process. By Eric Katz

Policy

Congress Staves Off Another Government Shutdown...For Now

The Senate easily passed a short-term spending bill on Thursday, clearing the way for the government to avoid a shutdown until at least mid-December. By Eric Katz

Business

Here's A Chart Showing 30 Years of Military Pay Raises

Civilian federal employees appear headed for a 1 percent pay raise for fiscal year 2015. The fate of military pay, however, is still in limbo. By Eric Katz

Business

Why Obama's Mental Health Initiatives Will Leave Many Veterans Without Help

Some advocates don’t think President Obama’s efforts to help troubled veterans go far enough. By Eric Katz

Business

How Obama Plans to Fix Veterans’ Mental Health Care

On Tuesday, the White House unveiled more steps to improve wounded veterans care. By Eric Katz

Business

Is the Pentagon's Personnel Reform Turning a Corner at Long Last?

From one union's perspective, the Defense Department's negotiations with labor groups are progressing at a surprisingly positive pace. By Eric Katz

Business

New VA Chief Vows 'Patience' and 'Respect' When Firing Executives

Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald says quick action is needed to lose the department's bad apples, but due process must be a component. By Eric Katz

Business

The Army Will Lay Off 500 Majors This Month

The involuntary separations are part of the Army's plan to downsize to 490,000 soldiers by the end of 2015. By Eric Katz

Business

Pentagon's Civilian Workforce Could Face New Performance Evaluations

The Pentagon plans a do-over for its poorly-received civilian pay and performance evaluation system from 2006. Will this attempt be any better than the last? By Eric Katz

Policy

House VA Bill for Firing Executives Advances to Senate

Co-sponsor of Monday's breakthrough VA reform package, Sen. Bernie Sanders, fully expects the measure to pass the Senate Thursday. By Eric Katz

Policy

Congress Clears the Way for VA to Fire Senior Executives

A new bi-partisan bill to kickstart reforms at the Department of Veterans Affairs could find its way to the president's desk by the end of the week. By Eric Katz

Policy

Here Are All the Ways Congress Is Trying to Fix the VA

The Veterans Affairs Department is, by many accounts, broken, and Congress has a lot of ideas to fix it. By Eric Katz

Business

The Air Force Is Offering Separation Incentives to Thousands of Civilians

But the reductions will still only save the Air Force a small fraction of the $50 billion required by the 2011 Budget Control Act. By Eric Katz

Business

Here’s How the Pentagon Could Save $108 Billion Over the Next Decade

Military retirees used to have their retirement pay reduced by the amount of any VA disability compensation they also received. That could save big bucks. By Eric Katz

Business

Senior Executives Are Increasingly Leaving the Government

The federal government’s senior executives are leaving the civil service, creating the possibility for a shortage of qualified top managers. By Eric Katz

Policy

House Bans Bonuses for All VA Employees Through 2016

The House voted Tuesday to stop VA bonuses for the next 3 years. However, a similar bill up for a vote in the Senate doesn't address bonuses. By Eric Katz