The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

President Donald Trump took aim at defense contractors Wednesday, announcing new restrictions on executive pay and stock buybacks as part of the administration’s push to speed procurement and revitalize the defense industrial base. Trump said companies "are not permitted in any way, shape or form to pay dividends or buy back stock, until they are able to produce a superior product, on time and on budget." He also said he would ask Congress for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in fiscal 2027.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew Friedman, a seasoned reporter for Federal News Network, dives into the latest telework guidelines from OPM, which strongly encourage federal employees to return to the office. He discusses who qualifies for telework exemptions, including those with disabilities and military spouses. The conversation highlights the administration's belief that in-person work enhances culture and communication. Additionally, Drew examines the conflict between downsizing office space and the push for full staffing, while hinting at the likelihood of these policies remaining in place for now.

Despite strong bipartisan support and rising repair costs, right-to-repair provisions were stripped from the NDAA. Now, all eyes are on the REPAIR Act as lawmakers debate whether Americans should control how and where they fix their vehicles. Justin Rzepka, executive director of the Consumer Access to Repair Coalition, breaks down what’s at stake.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The federal government’s oldest legal obligations to provide health, education, and economic support for Tribal Nations remain chronically underfunded and uniquely vulnerable to shutdowns. A new Brookings Institution analysis argues Congress should shift more Native American funding to mandatory spending to protect treaty commitments. Here with more details is the report's author, Brookings Fellow Robert Maxim. Read the report here: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-government-shutdown-shows-the-need-to-reform-how-the-federal-government-funds-native-american-tribes-and-communities/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton The latest shutdown exposed real problems in how Washington funds Indian Country Ever tried fixing your own car? The right-to-repair fight is heating up as costs soar and Congress weighs a national lawSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawmakers said the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill would deliver “the most significant acquisition reforms in a generation,” but some of the most ambitious changes lawmakers were pushing for during negotiations didn't make it into the final. Still, some provisions that survived negotiations could meaningfully change how the Defense Department buys technology, especially from small businesses and nontraditional contractors. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis has more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Secret Service is aiming to hire thousands of new employees over the next two years. To meet its goals, the agency is trying to cut its hiring timelines in half. The Secret Service’s recruiting push is just the latest in a hiring spree happening across federal law enforcement agencies. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From fragile states to disaster zones, ISOA helps bridge U.S. agencies and private sector capabilities. Its upcoming Global Summit in Washington will spotlight partnerships, small business opportunities, and trends shaping stability operations. Here with the details is Howie Lind, President of ISOA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies expired at year’s end, leaving millions facing higher premiums and lawmakers facing tough choices. Here to explain the real-world impact, why offsets matter, and what Congress must do to balance health care access with fiscal discipline is former member of Congress and now Executive Director of the Concord Coalition and Concord Action, Carolyn Bourdeaux.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SIGAR was born in 2008 to fill a critical gap in accountability for U.S. reconstruction efforts. Its last report distills hundreds of audits into hard truths: systemic weaknesses that outlasted the mission and reforms that never fully took hold. As the watchdog sunsets in early 2026, Acting Inspector General Gene Aloise explains what happens next—and why those lessons matter now more than ever.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.