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GovExec

@govexec.bsky.social

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Government Executive is the federal government's business news daily and the premier digital destination for senior leaders in the federal government's departments and agencies. Send tips to [email protected]

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · Nov 18

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 9h

Democrats are challenging the Trump administration in court over its promised federal layoffs. Sen. Van Hollen called the White House’s justification for the layoffs "a big lie" and illegal. Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has the story here: buff.ly/lmabAHo

As White House promises more federal layoffs, Democrats say ‘we’ll see them in court’

Trump suggests more cuts coming Friday as lawmakers vow to prevent "terrorism" against federal workers.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

Layoffs underway at Education, EPA, HHS, DHS, HUD and Treasury. Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has the latest here: buff.ly/mVHmjtV #shutdown

‘Substantial’ layoffs begin at federal agencies, White House says

The Trump administration is following through on its threat to leverage the shutdown to implement federal workforce reductions.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

Partisan views on federal agencies are shifting. Republicans are warming up to the CDC and EPA, while Democrats are dialing back their enthusiasm, according to the latest public opinion survey. Sean Michael Newhouse sorts the numbers: buff.ly/hxqbb68

Which agencies do Americans think are doing a good job?

Recent surveys have shown that how Republicans and Democrats view federal agencies has switched since Donald Trump became president again.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: Federal agency layoffs have begun, the White House confirms, signaling a major shift from past shutdown furloughs. Senior Correspondent Eric Katz is gathering details here: buff.ly/mVHmjtV

‘Substantial’ layoffs begin at federal agencies, White House says

The Trump administration is following through on its threat to leverage the shutdown to implement federal workforce reductions.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

"I don't want folks to miss a paycheck, but I don't want just the military not to miss a paycheck," said Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich. “I want other government employees not to miss their paycheck too." Senior Correspondent Eric Katz has details here: buff.ly/5HVsHjs

Democrats float immediately paying feds working through shutdown as Congress again rejects bill to reopen government

In addition to the military, some senators say air traffic controllers and other civil servants should get their paychecks on time even as shutdown drags on.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

While Vance added that the Trump administration is prioritizing making “the shutdown as painless as possible on the American people,” the president reiterated his threat to use the lapse in funding to eliminate parts of the government that he objects to. buff.ly/1oqeXxQ

Cabinet leaders detail how the government shutdown is impacting their agencies

President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his threat that he would use the appropriations lapse to justify cutting “Democrat programs.”

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

The Merit Systems Protection Board can finally rule on employee appeals again after months without a quorum, following Senate approval of a new member. Details:

Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member

Congressional Democrats also introduced legislation that would allow federal employees to file appeals in a civil court if the Merit Systems Protection Board is backlogged.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 6d

The Trump administration initially said furloughed federal workers weren’t guaranteed back pay. Within a day, it sent notices affirming that the 2019 law requires payment. Here's what happened: buff.ly/PmJyhK1 #FederalEmployees #Backpay #Shutdown

On Tuesday, the Trump admin said furloughed feds were not guaranteed back pay. On Wednesday, it sent notices saying they were

Just one day after taking a different argument, the Trump administration notes federal law guarantees back pay for employees sent home during a shutdown.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 7d

The Trump administration has raised legal questions about automatic backpay for furloughed fed workers, but experts say the claims lack historical and legal basis.
Details here: buff.ly/kSuzQKf #FederalEmployees #Backpay #Shutdown

Trump administration’s claims against automatic furloughed worker backpay lack legal, historical basis

Experts say the White House’s new theory that the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act does not guarantee feds backpay following a shutdown fails a basic tenet of legal analysis.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 7d

Lawmakers of both parties on Tuesday pushed back on OMB’s view, suggesting all federal employees were guaranteed back pay when the government reopens. buff.ly/tsgLuwh

Trump says he can pick and choose which feds get back pay. Republicans in Congress mostly disagree.

Asked if furloughed workers will get retroactively paid, Trump say “it depends.”

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 7d

OMB quietly removed language from its #shutdown guidance that referenced the 2019 law guaranteeing retroactive pay to furloughed federal employees. buff.ly/P0AsxeZ

OMB deletes reference to law guaranteeing backpay to furloughed feds from shutdown guidance

An Office of Management and Budget FAQ document now states that only excepted employees forced to work without pay are guaranteed backpay at the conclusion of a lapse in appropriations.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 8d

Senate again votes against ending the shutdown, heightening the risk of federal layoffs. For more details, read our story: buff.ly/agcPhFv

Senate again votes against ending shutdown, something White House said would trigger layoffs

There is still no path toward reopening government and Trump reiterates RIF threat.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 8d

Bisignano takes on leadership of IRS while keeping his role as Social Security commissioner, prompting questions about oversight and the Senate confirmation process. Details here:

Bisignano to lead IRS in addition to SSA duties, raising questions about the Senate confirmation process

Experts warned that the move could further facilitate the consolidation of Social Security and IRS databases for use in immigration enforcement.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 8d

Federal agencies are adjusting operations as the shutdown continues, with more employees set to receive furlough notices. Learn more here: buff.ly/3FdYyzo

More employees set to receive furlough notices as shutdown drags on

Agency plans will change significantly in the coming days and weeks if Congress fails to reopen government.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 8d

The modified out-of-office emails of furloughed Education Department employees blaming Democratic senators for the ongoing shutdown has prompted a lawsuit from AFGE. buff.ly/wbtZA2t

Trump administration ‘co-opted the voices’ of Education employees in shutdown blame game, union lawsuit alleges

Furloughed Education Department employees reported that their out-of-office email messages were modified to emphasize that Senate Democrats voted against a GOP government funding measure.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 11d

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would clarify that lapses in appropriations qualify federal workers to take a hardship withdrawal from the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program and eliminate the associated 10% penalty in those instances. buff.ly/WitdyJp

Democrats introduce bill to ease TSP withdrawals, loans during shutdowns

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would clarify that lapses in appropriations qualify federal workers to take a hardship withdrawal from the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement…

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 11d

Legal experts agree recent messages by the Trump administration about the shutdown at least pose ethical concerns about government impartiality. buff.ly/3zIY74o

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 12d

A pair of federal employee unions on Tuesday filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out its threats to unleash mass reductions in force across government during the government shutdown that began Wednesday. buff.ly/URBDz2S

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 12d

The Trump administration plans new federal layoffs amid the ongoing shutdown, while legal challenges to previous staffing cuts are delayed due to furloughed Justice Department attorneys. Check out the details here: buff.ly/aj3PHJl

As Trump promises shutdown layoffs, fights over previous layoffs stall due to shutdown

Employees involved in litigation are caught up in furloughs, though group says Trump is seeking to delay accountability.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 12d

The Thrift Savings Plan has exceeded $1 trillion in assets and posted solid year-to-date returns across its core and Lifecycle Funds. Our retirement expert Tammy Flanagan explains what this means, here:

Some good news for federal employees: TSP shows steady growth and healthy fund performance

The Thrift Savings Plan has surpassed $1 trillion in assets, providing steady returns in 2025.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 12d

Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices. buff.ly/kpkreSg

Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence

Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 13d

Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program increased in value in September, marking the second straight month of gains.

TSP funds continue to tick upward in September

For a second consecutive month, all of the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan increased in value.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 13d

Federal agencies will begin issuing mass layoffs in the coming days, White House officials said on Wednesday, suggesting the forthcoming cuts would be a direct result of the current government shutdown. buff.ly/TUpYpHx

White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away

So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 13d

Federal workers: Here’s your guide to pay, benefits and retirement during the government shutdown.

Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown

A lapse in appropriations looked likely after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to keep federal agencies open past Sept. 30, while the House is not expected to return to Washington until next month.

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 14d

The government is set to shut down after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. President Trump has vowed to implement mass federal layoffs and agencies are preparing for furloughs and potential permanent staff reductions. Details here: buff.ly/I3NuoT7

Government spirals toward shutdown with Trump promising mass layoffs

A last-ditch effort to keep government funded failed Tuesday night. Agencies will begin furloughing staff on Wednesday.

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