Federal government gets up and running after record length shutdown
With the shutdown now officially over, the White House isn't waiting to get things back and running. The Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum instructing federal employees who had been furloughed to return to work today, and to take all necessary steps to ensure that offices open in a prompt and orderly manner. The Government Publishing Office even took to X to direct all teammates they should report to their duty stations and contact supervisors with questions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Transgender Air Force and Space Force service members sue the Trump administration
Transgender Air Force and Space Force service members are suing the Trump administration for rescinding pensions that had been previously granted by the Air Force secretary. President Trump issued an executive order in January that banned transgender people from serving in the military. In June, the Air Force approve retirement orders for the Airmen named in the lawsuit, but two months later the service reversed the course, informing Airmen, each with at least 15 years of service, that they would be separated without retirement benefits under the ban. The lawsuit argues that revoking those retirement orders violates Air Force policies and procedures. Transgender service members affected by this will lose an estimated $1 to $2 million over the course of their lifetimes, the lawsuit says. It will also strip them of lifetime access to TRICARE health coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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It’s officially Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits program
Open Season has officially begun. Enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program have between now and December 8th to make changes to their health plan options. The open enrollment period also applies for Postal Service employees, as well as those with dental and vision coverage. For plan year 2026, federal employees’ health insurance premiums are rising by an average of 12%.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Treasury Department officially suspends Direct File
The Treasury Department is officially suspending Direct File, a free, online tax filing platform the IRS launched last year. The department says it’s exploring alternatives. That includes strengthening its partnership with tax preparation companies through its Free File program. Direct File expanded to 25 states during this year’s filing season and saw higher favorability scores. But Treasury says the program cost too much and didn’t see enough usage to keep scaling it up. It says the IRS spent more than $40 million on Direct File this year. That breaks down to nearly $140 for every return submitted using Direct File. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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A new bill would require agencies to disclose when AI replaces a federal job
Agencies would be required to disclose when artificial intelligence replaces a federal job under a bipartisan bill in the Senate. Senators Mark Warner and Josh Hawley announced the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act yesterday. The bill would require major companies and agencies to report AI-related job effects, including layoffs and job displacement, to the Labor Department. Labor would also be required to compile data on AI-related job effects and publish a report to Congress and the public. The legislation comes amid rising concerns about AI’s impact on the job market.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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