Trump claims big jump in VA trust scores, but data shows modest gains
Patient satisfaction rates have improved steadily at VA in recent years, but Trump insists his changes have reformed the entire department.
Oversight
VA cancels plans for employee satisfaction survey this year
VA has conducted a poll of federal employees every year since 2006, but won't distrubute one this year amid multiple reforms to the workforce.
FAA head resigns after effort to rebuild agency’s reputation
Stephen Dickson, a former pilot and executive with Delta Air Lines in Atlanta, had led the FAA since August 2019. He citied separation from his family during the pandemic, saying he told President Joe Biden, “It is time to go home.”
Senate confirms Biden’s FDA pick despite political divisions
The 50-46 vote means Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and prominent medical researcher, will again lead the powerful regulatory agency, which he briefly headed during the end of President Barack Obama’s administration.
CISA warns of potential Russian cyberattacks as invasion fears mount
CISA said no credible cyber threats against the U.S. homeland are known at this time, but cautioned Russia could choose to escalate the situation.
US judge strikes down Biden climate damage cost estimate
U.S. District Judge James Cain of the Western District of Louisiana sided with Republican attorneys general from energy producing states who said the administration’s action to raise the cost estimate of carbon emissions threatened to drive up energy costs while decreasing state revenues from energy production.
Federal and military users can now track potential terrorist activities with an app
Need a “onestop shop for counterterroism analysis”? There's an app for that, and it's called aCTknowledge.
Bigger bonuses, more child care aid for VA employees under new workforce plan
VA Secretary Denis McDonough outlined the changes in a department-wide speech on Wednesday.
Demilitarize civilian cyber defense, and you’ll gain deterrence
By constantly flexing the military’s cyber muscles to defend the homeland from inbound criminal cyber activity, the public demand for a broad federal response to illegal cyber activity is satisfied. Still, over time, the potential adversary will understand our military’s offensive cyber operations’ tactics, techniques and procedures.
New White House report promotes collective bargaining for federal employees
The Office of Personnel Management has taken several actions over the last year that it claims have helped reset labor-management relations in the executive branch.
Justice Dept. signals it may allow safe injection sites
The Justice Department is signaling it might be open to allowing so-called safe injection sites, or safe havens for people to use heroin and other narcotics with protections against fatal overdoses.
