Bipartisan group of Senators ask White House to reconsider cancelation of collective bargaining agreements
A group of bipartisan senators is asking President Donald Trump to reconsider his broad
cancelation of federal collective bargaining agreements. In a letter sent to the President on Thursday, four senators say they are concerned that his recent executive order will impede efforts to make the government more efficient. Trump eliminated most agencies’ union contracts last month, citing national security concerns. But the lawmakers say collective bargaining has a largely positive effect on the federal workforce, as it improves productivity and efficiency. The two Republicans and two Democrats are urging Trump to reverse course on his decision.
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6:22
Infrastructure permitting agencies have 45 days to develop modernization plans
Agencies who handle the federal permitting process for roads, bridges and other infrastructure
programs are on the hook to modernize the technology that runs these systems and share data more easily. President Donald Trump's latest executive order says the Council on Environmental Quality has 45 days to develop a Permitting Technology Action Plan that will include initial technology and data standards. The action plan also will provide a roadmap for creating a unified interagency permitting and environmental review data system. Agencies then will have 90 days to implement the data and technology standards and minimum functional requirements for the new interagency system. CEQ also will lead an interagency Permitting Innovation Center that will design and test prototype tools that could be implemented as part of the
Permitting Technology Action Plan.
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6:50
PACT Act makes determining veterans' benefits payments more difficult
The PACT Act has reportedly made determining when veterans' benefits payments should be issued more difficult. The Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general says about a quarter of all PACT Act related claims it reviewed over a year were issued incorrect effective dates, resulting in nearly $7 million in improper payments. The IG says a lack of training is mainly to blame and recommended creating a job aid for claims processors.
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6:20
VA starts search for new health and benefits leaders
The Department of Veterans Affairs is starting its search to fill two leadership roles. The VA is looking for candidates that President Donald Trump can nominate as the next under
secretary for health and undersecretary for benefits. VA’s Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence will oversee the search. Both roles face major projects, from rolling out a new Electronic Health Record, to processing a record volume of disability claims. The under secretary for health will oversee accelerated plans to roll out a new Electronic Health Record. The under secretary for
benefits will ensure the VA can continue processing a record volume of disability claims.
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6:31
Lawmakers call on National Archives to investigate use of Signal and Gmail by top government officials
Lawmakers are calling on the National Archives to investigate the use of unauthorized
communications platforms by top government officials. Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee say the reported use of Signal and Gmail by national security officials creates major cybersecurity risks. They also point out that it could violate federal record laws. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz reportedly has used both Signal and Gmail for sensitive discussions.
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