Federal Drive with Tom Temin

With election season accelerating, pressure is building on Congress to wrap up its work and head home. We examine what's still on the agenda and what could be pushed aside with WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell MillerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees nearing retirement often discover that health coverage decisions are more complicated than they expected. From spouse eligibility to Medicare enrollment, small choices can have lasting effects. Here with answers to some of the questions listeners ask most often is Tammy Flanagan, principal with Retire Federal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For decades, government reform efforts have focused on accountability, oversight and reducing risk. A new blueprint argues that approach may have left agencies better at avoiding failure than achieving success. Joining me to talk about their new reform proposal are Loren DeJonge Schulman and Rob Shriver. Loren Schulman is the director for Government Capacity with the Federation of American Scientists. Rob Shriver is Managing Director of Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives at Democracy Forward.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Turning 65 doesn't make the choice between Medicare and FEHB any less confusing Government is very good at preventing mistakes. But what if that comes at the expense of actually solving problems? Washington often focuses on what Congress passes. What lawmakers decide not to tackle can matter just as muchSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Labor Day, and coming up today on the Best of "The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton" One taxpayer's effort to solve an IRS problem led to a much larger question about how the agency is functioning today The Postal Service has long delivered ballots. Increasingly, policymakers want it to play a larger role in how ballots are validated and counted Military housing has been under scrutiny for years, yet many of the same complaints continue to surface. A closer look suggests the challenge may be bigger than any one landlord or property Questions about institutional capacity aren't new. Some of the federal government's oldest obligations have long faced a gap between commitment and executionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

House Veterans Affairs lawmakers sought answers on Wednesday about why the Veterans Affairs Department massively increased the contract for its electronic health record system. But, one key participant in the project, the contractor Oracle, failed to show up and committee members were not happy. Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me now with details on how lawmakers plan to force Oracle to testify.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new White House strategy ranks the technologies viewed as most important to national security and economic competitiveness. According to one new industry analysis, less attention is being paid to reducing cyber risk in the systems government already relies on every day. Rob Smith and Brad LaPorte of LionFish Tech Advisors join me now to discuss those gaps.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A recent Congressional Budget Office report estimates that it could cost over $7 billion to protect military installations from unmanned aircraft. But the report also highlights a threat that is evolving faster than traditional acquisition cycles. For a closer look, I'm joined by Bill Ostrowski, CEO of MyDefence North America.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent attacks on water utilities have shown how quickly a local cybersecurity incident can become a national concern. The systems that deliver drinking water are operated by thousands of separate organizations with varying resources and cyber capabilities. For more on what that means for protecting critical infrastructure, I'm joined by Ozgur Ozmen, assistant professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Recent attacks on water utilities exposed a cybersecurity challenge that's national in scope but local in responsibility It may be easier to calculate the cost of defending military bases from drones than to design defenses that can adapt as quickly as the drones do. As Washington races to build the next generation of national security technology, some cybersecurity experts are focused on the systems already in the fieldSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Artificial intelligence is forcing agencies and industry to take a prioritized approach to software patching. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's new directive on patching is designed to have agencies focus on the highest risk cyber vulnerabilities and give them more time to focus on other important security practices. For more, 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.

Agencies have a few months left to survey their employees before the required end-of-year deadline. For most, it will be their first time distributing an employee engagement survey on their own. For some federal workforce experts, transitioning to agency-specific surveys is a welcome change. But questions remain about a tight timeline, limited resources and lack of experience. 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.

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope combines the image quality of Hubble with a field of view that's dramatically larger. That will allow scientists to map vast portions of the sky, search for distant planets, and study some of the biggest unanswered questions in astronomy. Federal News Network's Eric White gets more details from Matthew Bolcar, senior optical systems engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, research institutions operated under relatively defined federal standards for reviewing high-risk biological research. A new government-wide policy shifts toward a broader risk-based approach that requires universities and laboratories to make more of those decisions themselves, with significant compliance consequences if they get them wrong. Here with a breakdown of where the rules are changing is Cara Baer, partner at Butler Snow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The traditional Ph.D. model was built around academic research careers. As industry absorbs more advanced scientific talent, NSF is testing whether a different approach could better align training with opportunity. Here to walk through NSF's pilot program is Sr. Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director for Technology Innovation and Partnerships at 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.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton The people earning STEM Ph.D.s aren't ending up where doctoral education was originally built to send them The federal government is asking universities and laboratories to make more decisions about biological research risks before Washington gets involved NASA's newest space telescope wasn't built to zoom in on a single mystery. It was built to show astronomers more of the universe at onceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The long journey to establish a single sign-on capability for federal services has taken a big step forward. The Office of Management and Budget is mandating that agencies transition to the login.gov platform for many public facing websites over the next two years. Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me now with more on OMB's latest memo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Artificial intelligence may become a more prominent part of the federal hiring process. The Office of Personnel Management is encouraging agencies to more widely adopt AI tools in their recruitment efforts. A new OPM memo outlines where agencies should or shouldn't begin using the technology. 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.

Whether they're seeking capital, looking for information or connecting with agency services, SBA users often arrive with a need rather than an understanding of how the agency is organized. The SBA is redesigning its website, customer service and digital tools to better match that experience. Joining me now to explain the agency's customer-experience strategy is Hartley Caldwell, SBA's chief information officer and chief AI officer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Opportunity Zones were designed to bring investment into economically distressed communities, and more than $108 billion flowed into the program through the end of 2024. But a new GAO report finds major gaps in the information needed to assess many of the program's effects. Here to discuss what policymakers know, and what they still can't measure, is Jessica Lucas-Judy, director of Strategic Issues at the Government Accountability Office.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been through a year of significant change. As a new director's nomination moves forward, the question is no longer just who will lead the agency, but how much of its future has already been decided. Alan Kaplinsky, senior counsel at Ballard Spahr, joins me now with insights.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Opportunity Zones attracted billions in investment. Measuring what that investment achieved has been much harder The Small Business Administration is redesigning its digital services around the people who use them, rather than the way the agency is organized The CFPB's next director may inherit an agency that's already been fundamentally reshapedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal agency CFOs can have more confidence than ever that their agency is sending money to the right citizens. Their confidence comes from the Treasury Department finishing a four-year journey to better secure federal payments. Treasury's Payment Verification tool moved into full production mode earlier this summer using a three-step process to confirm the accuracy of the disbursement. Justin Marsico is the executive director for financial integrity at the Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service. He talked about hte improvements with Federal News Network's 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 agencies will increasingly seek out technology products that use quantum-resistant encryption. That's because scientists are getting closer to developing a computer capable of breaking classic encryption algorithms. Cybersecurity leaders say it's important for agencies and industry to act now to address that looming threat. For more, 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.

Recent battlefield experience suggests that a new military capability may not stay effective for as long as defense planners once assumed. As adversaries adapt more quickly, pressure is growing to shorten the cycle between development, production, and upgrades. For one industry perspective on what that could mean for defense procurement, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Chad Steelberg, CEO and Founder of Tiberius Aerospace.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon needs more ships, more munitions and more manufacturing capacity. Industry is responding, but expanding production takes time, money, and confidence that demand will last. Joining me to talk through those constraints and industry's response is the president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association, David Norquist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two recent developments are drawing attention across the contracting community: proposed changes to small-business size standards and new supply-chain transparency requirements from the Defense Department. Here to discuss what contractors are making of both, is Stephanie Kostro, President 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.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton The government is changing some key rules that shape the federal contracting marketplace For years, the defense industrial base was a future problem. Now it's a production problem The Ukraine war is forcing militaries to rethink how quickly weapons and countermeasures evolveSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Department's third message to industry since early May is prompting many contractors to strongly doubt whether Secretary Pete Hegseth's goal of revitalizing the defense industrial base still is a priority. Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg's August 18 memo on cost and pricing is the latest example in the last three months of the Pentagon adding more compliance and complexity to contractors working for the DoD.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most civilian federal employees will not see a pay raise in 2027. An alternative pay plan from President Trump recommends a nearly governmentwide pay freeze. Exceptions will be carved out, though, to give larger raises to federal law enforcement and military personnel. 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.

Congress has no shortage of fiscal issues waiting when lawmakers return next week. What may be in shorter supply is the flexibility Congress has traditionally used to put together deals and postpone hard decisions. For a closer look, I'm joined by Loren Duggan, deputy news director at Bloomberg Government.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Postal operators around the world are testing artificial intelligence in everything from package processing to customer service. A new review from the USPS Inspector General looks at where those efforts are producing measurable results and where the technology remains more promise than practice. Here to walk us through those findings is Rick Schadelbauer, research specialist with the USPS Office of Inspector General.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

NVIDIA donated an advanced AI computing system to the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) through the NPS Foundation, which installed it along with funding for complex research projects and operational problem-solving supporting the NPS-NVIDIA Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. The new platform gives NPS students and faculty access to frontier AI computing power and operates within the school's existing infrastructure.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton As the Defense Department looks for ways to build expertise in artificial intelligence, the Naval Postgraduate School has received a new high-performance AI computing system from NVIDIA As agencies and businesses look for practical applications of artificial intelligence, a new review finds the postal industry is still sorting out what works at scale Congress returns next week facing a growing debt burden, pressure to address Social Security and another funding deadline, all while lawmakers have fewer easy options availableSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adversaries' use of AI to find new cyber vulnerabilities or increase the speed of their attacks means agencies have to do more to get out from under their legacy technology debt. This summer, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a new binding operational directive laying out how agencies should prioritize high-risk vulnerabilities for more immediate action, while deferring lower-risk vulnerabilities. Chris Butera is the acting deputy executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA. He talked about the directive and the challenge with Federal News Network's Jason Miller.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon says sexual assaults in the military decreased in 2025, with an estimated 20,500 service members experiencing unwanted sexual contact. At the same time, more victims reported what happened to them. But advocates say the numbers may not tell the whole story, arguing that survivors still face serious barriers to reporting and getting justice. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen is here to dig into the new report.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Military medicine trains constantly for trauma care, but some of the tools and processes designed for adults don't always translate well to children. After identifying one of those gaps, Navy Cmdr. Emily Latimer led a research effort that found a better approach for administering blood to critically injured pediatric patients. That innovation earned her the Defense Health Agency Nursing Award for Evidence-Based Practice. Commander Lattimer joins me now to discuss what her team learned and what it says about readiness across military medicine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most couples build a retirement plan around the assumption that they'll navigate retirement together. But every retirement plan eventually becomes a one-person plan. That's why financial planner Thiago Glieger says one of the most important acts of financial preparation is making sure a surviving spouse inherits a roadmap, not a maze of decisions, paperwork and uncertainty. He joins me now to talk through these crucial considerations.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trust in government has been declining for decades. A new Partnership for Public Service study asked a different question: What would a government that works for people actually look like? The answers revealed some unexpected common ground around responsiveness, effectiveness and problem solving. Here with more insight is the director of public engagement at the Partnership for Public Service, Lindsay Laferriere.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry GertonAmericans may disagree on politics, but they seem to have a clearer picture of what they want government to do than many leaders assume The most important retirement conversation you can have with your spouse may be the one neither of you wants to have Better care often starts with someone noticing that an old solution doesn't work for every patient. One Navy nurse turned that observation into a change that could improve trauma care across military medicine.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 facing a new lawsuit, after overhauls to federal employee suitability and performance standards. Four federal unions argue that the Office of Personnel Management exceeded statutory authority and violated the Civil Service Reform Act when it issued final regulations earlier this summer. Taken together, the unions say the changes will make it easier for OPM to fire employees. Here with 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.

The Army is moving ahead with a major effort to put nuclear microreactors on military bases, with about $2.2 billion going to five companies. The goal is to get at least one reactor to provide useful electricity to an Army installation by the end of September 2028. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen joins me with more on the announcement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.