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Which agencies do Americans think are doing a good job?

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 1d

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

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

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

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 1d

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

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

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 2d

"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

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.

Cabinet leaders detail how the government shutdown is impacting their agencies

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 2d

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

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

Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 2d

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:

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.

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 3d

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

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

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

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

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.

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

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

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

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 4d

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

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.

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

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

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

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

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

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:

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

More employees set to receive furlough notices as shutdown drags on

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

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

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

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 5d

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

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.

Democrats introduce bill to ease TSP withdrawals, loans during shutdowns

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 8d

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

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 · 8d

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

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

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 9d

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

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 9d

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

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

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

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 9d

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:

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

Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 9d

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

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

TSP funds continue to tick upward in September

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 10d

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.

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

White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 10d

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

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

Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 10d

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

Government spirals toward shutdown with Trump promising mass layoffs

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GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 11d

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

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

Just 23% of fed workers would be furloughed if the government shuts down, under the Trump administration’s plan

GovExec @govexec.bsky.social · 11d

If a government shutdown occurs tonight, the Trump administration plans to furlough just 23% of federal workers, a small fraction of the federal workforce.

Several agencies plan to keep more employees working than usual, leading to fewer workers being sent home.