OPM to establish higher pay for certain national security employees
01/06/2026 | 5 mins.
Agencies will soon be able to pay as much as $400,000 a year to certain employees with skillsets in the national security sector. President Donald Trump told the Office of Personnel Management on Friday to establish new regulations to pay experts in specific fields related to supply chain resilience, secure access to critical minerals and advanced technologies and advance priority investment programs essential to our national defense and economic security. The memo says this increase in the top line pay for these positions is necessary to advance the rapid recruitment of the exceptionally skilled investment, engineering, financial and legal professionals needed to expand the nation’s capacity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
30,000 TSP participants take advantage of new Roth option
29/05/2026 | 0 mins.
Some Thrift Savings Plan participants are taking advantage of a new option for Roth in-plan conversions. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board reports that roughly 30,000 TSP participants have converted some of their contributions since the feature launched earlier this year. In a survey, about 93% of TSP participants who used the new conversion option say the process was “easy.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lawmakers call on Agriculture Dept to restore employee childcare centers contract
28/05/2026 | 7 mins.
Democrats are demanding that the Department of Agriculture secure new childcare options for federal employees. In April, USDA’s current childcare service provider announced it would not renew its contract, closing two childcare centers in the D.C. region in July. But Democrats say USDA has not communicated any plans to offer an alternative to the employees who rely on those centers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal employee union calls for telework return amid rising gas prices
27/05/2026 | 6 mins.
Amid soaring gas prices, a union is urging the Trump administration to allow telework flexibilities for federal employees. The National Treasury Employees Union says a full in-office mandate, coupled with high gas prices, is creating financial burdens for many employees. In a letter to the Office of Personnel Management, NTEU argues that feds should be approved to telework at least until gas prices go back down to normal. The vast majority of federal employees have been working fully in person since 2025, under orders from the White House. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lawmakers look to take some of the heat in future shutdowns
26/05/2026 | 6 mins.
A bipartisan group of senators is trying to make shutdowns more painful for the members of Congress whose votes cause them. Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, requiring lawmakers to remain in Washington D.C. until spending bills are passed. It would also institute automatic 14-day continuing resolutions if spending bills aren’t approved. The legislation was first introduced in 2019 and a companion bill has been introduced in the House. 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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