Podcasts about federal news network

As Congress works to finalize the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling out a leading industry group for trying to block bipartisan right to repair efforts that would give soldiers the ability to fix their own equipment. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here to help us sort it out. 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 looking to hire thousands of federal law enforcement personnel as part of expanded immigration enforcement efforts. But the courts handling these cases aren't seeing the same surge in resources. Several immigration judges recently fired by the Justice Department say the court system is losing staff and it's unable to address a multi million case backlog. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The bill that reopened the government also includes a temporary extension of a landmark cyber information law, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 expired on October 1. Now it's in force again, at least until January 30. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me with more on what could be a complicated reauthorization path for CISA 2015. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thousands of federal contractors today are watching their inboxes, waiting for a message from their agency customers that their invoices for work done over the last two months have been accepted. Many of those bills are more than 30 days old, triggering interest payments due to the companies. At least one veteran owned HUBZone firm has about $20 million in outstanding invoices that are now more than 30 days old. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me to discuss why agencies now face a new challenge with the shutdown ending, complying with the Prompt Payment Act. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, the Cyber CORPS Scholarship for Service program has provided agencies with a steady pipeline of cyber talent, but now the program is at a crossroads as Cyber CORPS students struggle to find work amid the ongoing federal hiring freeze, many are now facing the prospect of having to pay back their scholarship. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me with more info on this situation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A spending deal to end the longest government shutdown also keeps some agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year. That includes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is still going through an agency reorganization. Lawmakers have included language that ensures the VA doesn't shed too many employees. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more insight. 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 scrapped this year's Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey. That's the government's signature assessment of trends in the federal workforce. But in the absence of FEVS, a new opportunity has emerged for federal employees to make their voices heard. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman got more from experts at the Partnership for Public Service, which has just launched its first ever public service Viewpoint Survey. Michelle LaMonte is Senior Vice President of government programs, and Max Steyer is the partnership's president and CEO. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Acquisition System as you know it, is dead. That's according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who promised to completely change how the Pentagon does business. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more of the details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employee unions are suing the Trump administration for including a new essay question on most job applications. One of the questions asks candidates how they plan to advance the Trump administration's priorities. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit say that amounts to a loyalty test for the nonpartisan civil service Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more details. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees are experiencing disruptions in the workplace at a rate nearly three times the national average. Close to one-third of federal employees say their workplace has been disrupted to a very large extent this year, according to new data from Gallup. For more on the latest findings, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman spoke with a Gallup director and Senior Consultant, Camille Lloyd.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Monday, some Defense contracts will require verified cybersecurity compliance under new CMMC rules. But contractors face murky thresholds, shifting clause language, and real risks to eligibility. For the details on the changes, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu spoke with Dan Ramish, partner at Haynes Boone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the first major cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency hit the U.S. Agency for International Development. About 85% of its programs were eliminated, and the rest, including emergency food aid, were folded into the State Department. That food aid program has long had bipartisan support, but the transition hasn't been seamless. Federal News Network's Eric White recently spoke with Vincent Smith from the American Enterprise Institute to explore the program's growing pains.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The decision by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high volume markets beginning this morning, isn't just a reaction to the now longest partial government shutdown ever. FAA is seeing the strain on air traffic controllers who are starting to call out sick more often. A new Federal News Network pulse poll finds FAA employees aren't the only ones working without pay that may be calling out sick or taking part in a sick out if this shutdown continues deep into November. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me now to discuss what we found in our latest survey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government shutdown is rippling through the world of intellectual property. To find out which parts of the IP system remain lit, and which have gone dark, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Jarom Kesler, a partner with Knobbe Martens.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pentagon leaders came under fire Tuesday for quietly reorganizing part of the Defense Department's policy office without notifying Congress. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Office of Personnel Management is hinting at some upcoming initiatives aiming to bring more tech talent into the federal workforce. At the same time, OPM says it's looking to improve early career recruitment and focus more on applicant skill sets rather than job titles. But OPMs big hiring goals also come after hundreds of thousands of feds have left their jobs this year. 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 vast majority of employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are still working during the government shutdown, and most are being paid on time through advanced appropriations. Even so, tens of thousands of VA employees are not getting paid right now because they're either furloughed or working without pay. Veteran Service Organizations say that the shutdown has also limited their services to veterans. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been covering this.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon Cyber Security Maturity Model certification is less than a week away from becoming an official acquisition rule. Now the Defense Department's lead Small Business Office is polling companies about their readiness to meet the CMMC requirements for more on CMMC finally becoming a reality 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.

Military pay is always front and center of any government shutdown. It can also serve as a motivator to get members of Congress moving before they go too long. On the other side though are the servicemembers themselves, many of whom rely solely on that paycheck to get through their daily lives. To get some insight on the impact this particular shutdown is having on today's military, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Jim Whaley, CEO of the nonprofit Mission Roll Call, and a 20 year Army veteran himself.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees planning to retire are now navigating ORA, the new online platform replacing OPM's paper-based process. The system is designed to streamline retirement, but early users are facing delays, confusion, and communication breakdowns. For insight on what's working and what's not, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Thiago Glieger, a retirement planning expert at RMG Advisors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Though many federal employees have been through shutdowns in the past, a significant majority say things are very different this time. Around about 70% of respondents to a recent Federal News Network survey say the current shutdown feels much less certain than usual. Some survey takers also say the Trump administration's recent actions have only built on the challenges feds have faced this year. Here with more on the survey results is 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 Trump administration is starting to develop a new National Cyber Security Strategy. Several presidential administrations, including Trump's first, have tried to get their arms around securing US interests in cyberspace, but digital threats to agencies and critical infrastructure have only gotten worse, while artificial intelligence is posing a whole new set of challenges. For more on how the White House is addressing those issues, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are showing up to work and not getting paid on time during the second longest government shutdown. State Department employees who process passports are among those working without pay. That's an unusual step, because that part of the agency is fee funded, and it can normally pay staff on time during a lapse in congressional funds. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been covering this issue, and he joins us now with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Small Business Administration acted in record time to suspend ATI Government Solutions from federal contracting. SBA made the decision the day after a video emerged from the O'Keefe Media Group, a right wing activist organization, showing that an official from ATI admitted to defrauding the SBA is eight a program for more on the broader implications of the ATI suspension. Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins us now to discuss.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With open season just around the corner, rising premiums may be top of mind for enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, but there are a number of other changes that employees and annuitants will want to be aware of for Plan Year 2026 that includes several plans entering or leaving FEHB, as well as benefits changes across the government's insurance programs. For more, Federal News Network's Drew Friedman recently sat down with the Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Consumers Checkbook, Kevin Moss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Environmental Protection Agency is deepening its work with water utilities on cyber security issues. The EPA has recently launched a program to scan for Internet exposed devices at water and wastewater facilities. That work comes amid rising concerns about nation state hackers targeting water systems and other critical infrastructure for more Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday is here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For decades, service members and their families have been exposed to hazardous conditions and privatized military housing. The Change the Air Foundation recently launched what's probably one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to collect data. The Defense Department has never been able to track accurately what military spouses say. It's a survey created by families, for families. For more Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke with Erica Thompson, a military spouse, and the military families liaison for the Change the Air Foundation.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's latest round of federal employee layoffs will remain on hold for now. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from carrying out widespread reductions in force for about 4000 employees while the case proceeds through the court. A judge initially put these layoffs on hold in mid October, Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has the latest.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 and Congress are weighing changes that could reshape how the Federal Emergency Management Agency prepares for, responds to, and helps communities recover from disasters. There are quite a few reforms on the table. To help understand them, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute is hosting a Rapid Readout this week to unpack it all. For more info, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu spoke with Daniel Bresette, who is president of the EESI.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

About 1.4 million federal employees missed their first full paychecks last week. The financial hit has led one major federal union to say enough is enough, but the missing paychecks are just one of the several converging challenges feds are facing right now. Here with more is Federal News Network's drew Friedman, who is writing about all this in this week's edition of the federal report. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Cyber Security and infrastructure security agency has been sounding the alarm about cyber threats to us critical infrastructure like power and water systems. CISA officials are particularly concerned about hackers targeting so called operational technology or OT systems. Targeting of those systems could pose major health and safety risks. For more on what the agency is doing to combat those threats. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday spoke with the OT cyber lead at CISA, Matt Rogers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Current and former federal employees affected by the massive 2015 Office of Personnel Management data breach may be losing their identity protection services in the coming year. IDX, the company providing these services since 2015 sent out emails earlier this month telling recipients of their identity protection services that they would have to renew on their own dime after receiving services for 10 years. Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me now to tell us what's going on with the contract and the identity protection services. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many federal employees missed their first full paycheck last week as the second longest shutdown continues with no end in sight. Even some shutdown exempt employees are waiting on paychecks that were supposed to arrive. The Food and Drug Administration says some employees are receiving delayed paychecks because of a glitch in its system. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been following all this, and he joins us now with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees are getting a reprieve from the round of reductions in force the Trump administration threatened to impose during the government shutdown this week for a second time, a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order blocking those RIFs to even more federal unions. But we still don't know how many jobs the administration is actually trying to cut, or exactly where Federal News Network's Jared serbo has been following the case, and he joins us now with an update on where things stand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission has seen its recommendations adopted by Congress and federal agencies, but for the first time, the Commission's policy proposals are moving backwards under the weight of workforce cuts and other changes across government. 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.

Enrollees in the government's health insurance programs are bracing for big premium hikes in 2026 it'll be the second year in a row of percentage increases that reach double digits. But not every plan option is going up in cost, and there are some other important factors to consider for the upcoming Open Season for more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman sat down with director of marketing and fundraising at consumers checkbook, Kevin Moss,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The IRS is one of the Trump administration's biggest targets for layoffs. That's after the agency has already lost about a quarter of its workforce so far this year. These new layoffs impact mostly human resources and IT personnel now our Department of Government Efficiency Representative says those cuts are necessary to get stalled. It modernization efforts back on track for what all this means. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman 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.

The Army has been on a quest to make its bases more energy resilient for a long time. The latest answer, nuclear power. The service is about to ask vendors to submit proposals to install miniature nuclear power stations on nine bases. Officials want to test the feasibility of using them to power critical infrastructure on their installations, as Federal News Network's Jared Serbia reports, they're convinced the technology is ready. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency, employees rallied in front of FEMA headquarters on Friday. They were protesting staffing cuts and other changes at FEMA, they say, make the agency less ready to handle a major disaster for more on Friday's rally, 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.

More than 200,000 federal employees have left government so far this year, voluntarily or otherwise, many of those former Feds officially separated from their agencies and are now planning the next chapter of their lives. In at least a few cases, some of these individuals have decided to run for public office. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The concept of DevSecOps has been around long enough that it's now firmly established in most federal agencies, but using it to produce secure software on a regular basis takes careful planning. Darren Death is the Chief Information Security Officer at the Export Import Bank, and Madhuri Sammid is the Deputy Associate Chief Information Officer at the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. They talked with Federal News Network's Jared serbu As part of our 2025 Cyber Leaders Exchange.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Trump's months long hiring freeze is starting to thaw at least a little bit. A new executive order maintains strict limits on federal recruitment with a handful of exceptions, but now agencies can try to get around that freeze as long as hires are approved by political appointees. Here with the latest to explain it all is 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.

Agencies are on a tight deadline to address a new and major cyber security vulnerability. The cyber security and infrastructure security agency directed agencies to patch potentially vulnerable F5 devices in an emergency. Directive comes as agencies also navigate reduced staffing during the shutdown. For more on all of this, we bring in Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Military service members are seeing paychecks hit their bank accounts this week after the defense department moved billions to cover military salaries, but it's unclear what legal authority allowed the department to move the funds, raising questions about whether it could violate the Anti Deficiency Act. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge is temporarily blocking the Trump administration from carrying out its latest round of federal employee layoffs at most agencies. Administration officials say RIF notices went out to about 4000 federal employees last Friday. President Donald Trump and senior administration officials say more layoffs could be coming at the end of this week. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with the latest.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army's new secretary says he's getting ready to completely disrupt the service's acquisition bureaucracy. Secretary Dan Driscoll says the current system has been failing soldiers for decades with cost overruns and slow performance. He says big changes are coming in the next few weeks, including a new, more centralized structure. Details now from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We begin today with the IRS, which has furloughed nearly half its workforce last week and carried out more layoffs. But the agency is telling some shutdown exempt staff that they could also be furloughed if they take too much leave. The IRS is preparing for more changes than usual for next year's filing season, and some employees are worried these changes leave them short staffed. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been covering this, and he joins me now with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dozens of Department of Homeland Security employees have received management directed reassignments in recent weeks, the directives are forcing some staff to choose whether to move hundreds of miles away to a new job or face termination. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday 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.

Federal employees and contractors are feeling the strain as the partial government shutdown drags on, and the toll both personal and financial is mounting. Surviving a shutdown takes planning, adaptability and a clear eyed view of what comes next. So in this week's federal report, Federal News Network's Executive Editor Jason Miller talked to experts to create a federal shutdown Survival Guide. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Oliver Wise, former Chief Data Officer at the Department of Commerce and now Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. Oliver discusses his experience leading data initiatives across Commerce, including efforts to make federal data usable in an AI-driven world, and explains how local governments can harness data to improve lives through programs like the City Data Alliance.From federal policy to city hall, Oliver shares how better data governance—and a new model of collaboration between levels of government—can help public servants everywhere deliver smarter, more trustworthy results.Show Notes:For our furloughed friends: Shutdown deals around townEvents on the GovNavigator's Radar:Check out GovExec's new events calendar October 9, 2025: Federal News Network's 25th Anniversary GalaOctober 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit