The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

With the government still stuck in limbo, there was some hope that at least those still forced to work during a government shutdown, as well as members of the military could get some relief. However, that legislation too went by the wayside, which means we're back to square one. To find out where things currently stand, we welcome back to the program Loren Duggan, Deputy News Director for Bloomberg Government. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal employees are getting a reprieve from the round of reductions in force the Trump administration threatened to impose during the government shutdown this week for a second time, a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order blocking those RIFs to even more federal unions. But we still don't know how many jobs the administration is actually trying to cut, or exactly where Federal News Network's Jared serbo has been following the case, and he joins us now with an update on where things stand.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For years, the Cyberspace Solarium Commission has seen its recommendations adopted by Congress and federal agencies, but for the first time, the Commission's policy proposals are moving backwards under the weight of workforce cuts and other changes across government. 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has phased out alcohol and tobacco from its care model. Now, former VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin is calling for the agency to become the first opioid-free health system in the country. He joins us to explain why the time is right and how this shift could save lives and reshape veteran care.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While government spending may be precarious in the U.S. at the moment, that doesn't mean defense companies can't look elsewhere to provide their services. Other countries are entrusting the defense industry more and more. Here to discuss where those firms are finding the most demand, we welcome Daniel Sennott, former Republican staff director for the House Armed Services Committee and now co-leader of Holland & Knight’s National Security and Defense Industry Group, where he is also a partner.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 A former VA Secretary says it’s time for the VA to lead a new era in pain management Certain world events have defense contractors looking for new business outside the U.S. Her work brings clean water and new opportunities to tribal communities across the countrySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lt. Cmdr. Melissa DeVera’s leadership helped deliver billions in sanitation projects to tribal nations, improving access to clean water and public health infrastructure. Her work building partnerships and expanding opportunity earned her a prestigious Flemming Award—and the gratitude of communities she’s served.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The IRS is one of the Trump administration's biggest targets for layoffs. That's after the agency has already lost about a quarter of its workforce so far this year. These new layoffs impact mostly human resources and IT personnel now our Department of Government Efficiency Representative says those cuts are necessary to get stalled. It modernization efforts back on track for what all this means. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enrollees in the government's health insurance programs are bracing for big premium hikes in 2026 it'll be the second year in a row of percentage increases that reach double digits. But not every plan option is going up in cost, and there are some other important factors to consider for the upcoming Open Season for more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman sat down with director of marketing and fundraising at consumers checkbook, Kevin Moss,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

California’s push to regulate artificial intelligence could reshape national markets and sideline smaller developers. But critics say no single state should dictate the future of AI policy—and that Congress must act now to establish clear standards that protect innovation and prevent a patchwork of conflicting mandates. Here to explain why that matters is Professor Kevin Frazier, AI Innovation and Law Fellow at the University of Texas School of Law.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.