New bill would extend military survivor benefit decision deadline
30/06/2026 | 8 mins.
Two Democrats and two Republicans have teamed up on a bill that would give military families more time to make important financial decisions after a service member dies. Endorsed by groups like Gold Star Spouses of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, the bill would give families three years instead of one to roll over death gratuities and life insurance into tax-advantaged savings accounts. Supporters say the language would give families more flexibility as they work through difficult choices. The bill could be added into the annual defense policy bill now progressing through Congress. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Democratic lawmakers take up the fight against federal NDAs
29/06/2026 | 6 mins.
Dozens of House Democrats are urging the Trump administration to abandon its proposal for a governmentwide non-disclosure agreement. The lawmakers say an NDA for federal employees would only serve to intimidate and silence them. They are demanding details on the scope of the proposed NDA, and how workers would still be able to make protected disclosures. Lawmakers sent their demands in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management, after the proposed NDA plans were released last month. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lawsuit charges Schedule Policy/Career violates Civil Service Reform Act
26/06/2026 | 6 mins.
A lawsuit challenging Schedule Policy/Career is doubling down on its arguments. The recently amended complaint now directly challenges the reclassifications of 8,000 federal employees earlier this month. The lawsuit alleges that Schedule Policy/Career violates the Civil Service Reform Act, inhibits due process for federal employees, and intrudes on congressional powers. The plaintiffs in the case are the Government Accountability Project and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
House 2027 defense spending bill heads to the full chamber
25/06/2026 | 6 mins.
The House's version of the 2027 defense spending bill is moving on to the full chamber for consideration. House appropriators voted 34 to 27 to approve the $1.1 trillion package at a markup Wednesday. The bill funds Trump administration priorities like the Golden Dome missile defense shield and greater investment in commercial technologies. Lawmakers also adopted a package of amendments on hot-button issues like diversity programs, abortion and sex-reassignment surgery. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Military commissaries may open to DoD civilian employees
24/06/2026 | 7 mins.
The Department of Defense's civilian employees could get another option for their grocery runs; their local commissary. Senators are suggesting that the defense secretary should launch a pilot program that lets civilian staffers shop at commissaries as part of the 2027 defense policy bill. If the idea isn't too expensive and doesn't interfere with feeding troops and their families, that access could become more permanent. C ommissaries offer groceries at lower prices than public stores, but the quality and availability of those goods can vary widely between bases. 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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