Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin Some final thoughts from one of the leading reformers of Congress Operators of these parts of critical infrastructure want their share of federal spending How children of military service members are at war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's episode of The Federal Drive with Tom Temin: Losing the acting on a high ranking title at NASA In the two weeks or so left of 2024, get the most out of your money A leading government research administrator steps onto a new stage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The government might be operating on a continuing resolution. Individuals should take better charge of their own financial lives before the end of the year. Including optimizing your Thrift Savings Plan. Some tips now from RMG Advisors financial planner Thiago Glieger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the government's leading researchers and research administrators has been recognized with a new outside post. Simon Liu, the administrator of the Agricultural Research Service at the Agriculture Department … is now a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He joined the Federal Drive earlier to discus his work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A satisfying thing it is when that *acting* moniker is removed from your title. My next guest has become simply the associate administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA. For what it all means, Clayton Turner joined the Federal Drive earlier with more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bill to reform the way agencies recruit employees is heading to President Biden’s desk. Congress passed the bipartisan Chance to Compete Act earlier this week, to codify skills-based hiring practices for the federal workforce. The push for agencies to focus on applicants' skills, rather than degrees, has been years in the making. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman got more from the Partnership for Public Service’s vice president of government affairs, Jenny Mattingley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To save some short term money, Army officials are scaling back a popular education benefit. The decision to scale back the Credentialing Assistance program could rank as on one of the most significant changes to soldiers' benefits in recent years. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis joined the Federal Drive with more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Biden administration will have left office after establishing extensive policies for acquisition and use of artificial intelligence. The National Defense Authorization Act for 2025 also has extensive language on ensuring competition in AI. What can we expect from the Trump administration? One view comes from the chair of the government contracts practice group at Blank Rome, Justin Chiarodo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Navy transports Marines aboard amphibious warfare ships. The Navy also has big problems keeping its fleet of amphibious ships available for both training and operations. Some of the vessels have been out of service for years. For more of what auditors found, the director of defense capabilities and management issues at the Government Accountability Office, Diana Maurer joined the Federal Drive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Veterans who wish to be buried with the least environmental impact now have a new option. Three of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries opened what they call green burial sections last month. Green burials are possible for both cremated and intact remains. The Federal Drive got details now from VA's executive director of cemetery operations, Lisa Pozzebon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices