The new legislation motivates “the right people and programs at the Pentagon to deploy needed strategies in a transformative way,” said Rep. Darrell Issa. The plan still needs support from Republican senators before the military leadership posts can be filled. It’s also been a priority of the Office of Personnel Management to reform the way agencies look for and place cyber job candidates. Republicans are pushing for individual votes on the vacant Joint Chiefs posts, while Democrats are looking to advance hundreds of pending promotions. Martin said it would help to get more permanent “boots on the ground” auditors and investigators cleared to work onsite. An inspector general report found confusion and concerns among employees regarding the abortion access rules. Like many agency leaders, Beaudreau has been forced to confront modern cyber threats that target federal agencies. She would replace Gina Ortiz Jones, who left the leadership post in March. The Senate is expected to fill three vacancies on the Joint Chiefs of Staff — including the chairman post — after a surprise breakthrough Wednesday. Contractors, like federal agencies, are reading the handwriting on the wall and are bracing for a shutdown. Load More