Federal Drive with Tom Temin

The Trump administration nominated, and Congress approved, at least one experienced hand to the Veterans Affairs Department. Paul Lawrence became deputy secretary last month. During the first Trump administration, he ran the Veterans Benefits Administration. Now he's got to find new health and benefits executives. For an update on this and other matters, Paul Lawrence joins me now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pentagon's hiring freeze has at least one unintended, or maybe intended consequence, one that could affect readiness of the armed services. For one thing, it has reversed years of progress the Air Force made in expanding Child Care Access. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin An experienced hand returns to the executive levels at Veterans Affairs A federal retiree looks in amazement at what's going on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump administration has mounted an attempt at the biggest overhaul of the Federal acquisition process since the 1990s. Two executive orders from President Donald Trump this week kicked off a rewrite and slimmed down of the Federal Acquisition Regulations the far it will renew the mandate to buy commercial products and services wherever possible. And for more on what they're up to Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller, got an exclusiveinterview with the Office of Management and Budget's Senior Advisor leading the FAR overhaul, Kevin Rhodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the goal of reducing the federal workforce by 10% wrong? Or just the way the Trump administration is going about it? And what about the five-bullet email? Some perspective now from retired federal manager Abe Grungold of A-G Financial Services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the government terminates a contract for convenience, the contractor has rights and responsibilities. To find out how contractors can prepare in the current environment, Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Contract Attorney with Rogers Joseph O’Donnell, Stephen Bacon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Thrift Savings Plan accounts nose-diving and DOGE possibly coming for your job, no wonder federal employees are on edge. Times like these demand your calmest and clearest thinking. Here to help, certified financial planner Thiago Glieger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin Preventing EFT payment fraud in Medicare and Medicaid What contractors need to do now to prepare for terminations for convenience TSP tanking? Job in danger? Take a deep breath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Department of Health and Human Services IG recently recovered $27 million in fraudulent payments made through electronic funds transfers. There are steps that would improve payment security, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid may not have the bandwidth to help state agencies comply. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton dug into the details with the regional Inspector General for Evaluation and Inspection for HHS, Brian Whitley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Homeland Security Department has canceled a Federal Workforce Initiative for Neuro diversity. The move ends a years long effort to accommodate people with conditions like autism as part of federal recruiting and retention. The initiatives were aimed at filling gaps in crucial fields like cyber security. For the latest, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices