Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Congress and other acquisition policy makers have been pressing the Defense Department to embrace more commercial technologies, literally, for decades. Well now there's a new push, a sweeping executive order issued last week tells DOD to reform its acquisition processes with a first preference for commercial solutions. That was also the theme of a panel Federal News Network's Jared Serbu moderated at last week's Sierra Space conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former Interior Department Inspector General. He was also chairman of the Council on the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. Mark Greenblatt received a taunting phone call to his personal cell phone about a month ago as an IG Greenblatt was used to a certain level of negative comments and hate mail. This one went further in this week's federal report. Federal News Network's executive editor, Jason Miller, writes about how Greenblatt's experience is becoming all too common for federal employees and what they can do to protect themselves from harassment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In conversation, we often equate the federal government with Washington DC, but a new on-line tool shows just how broadly government operations extend across the country. The Impact Project’s online map shows the distribution of federal employees, facilities, and contracts down to congressional districts, and how the latest firings and contract terminations are affecting local communities. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with the founder of the Impact Project, Abby Andre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Prince George's County, Maryland, is one of the three Maryland and Virginia counties, along with Alexandria, that border the District of Columbia. Like the others, it's home to thousands of federal employees who’ve recently lost their jobs because of orders from the Trump Administration. Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey, whose district includes Prince George's County wants to help. He joined Terry Gerton in studio with plans for a resource fair coming up soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin One Congressmen helps out his federal employee constituents Veteran self scheduling system for medical appointments stills need a little work What do New York, Georgia, and Washington state have in common? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another executive order, "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," is the latest effort by the president to reduce the size of the federal government. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, along with six other independent agencies targeted in this order, must reduce its operations and staff to the minimum ‘required by law’. A recent news story about FMCS sheds some light on why this agency might have made the list. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Investigative Reporter for the Daily Wire, Luke Rosiak, to get more details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anastasia Obis, a Federal News Network defense reporter, shares her insights on the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), offering clarity in the legal haze surrounding it. She discusses the program's implications amidst federal layoffs and how it may benefit employees nearing retirement. Obis highlights the critical distinctions between resignation and retirement and the potential legal rights that could be forfeited, such as discrimination claims, making it a must-listen for any federal employee navigating these uncertain times.

Congress left town with an agreement on the budget resolution, but tough decisions loom when they return. Federal News Network's Terry Gerton broke down the workload with Bloomberg Government's Deputy News Director, Loren Duggan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another executive order, "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," is the latest effort by the president to reduce the size of the federal government. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, along with six other independent agencies targeted in this order, must reduce its operations and staff to the minimum ‘required by law’. A recent news story about FMCS sheds some light on why this agency might have made the list. Federal News Network’s Terry Gerton spoke with Investigative Reporter for the Daily Wire, Luke Rosiak, to get more details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Staff at the cybersecurity and infrastructure security agency may have to wait a little longer than expected for a Senate confirmed director. That's because Oregon Senator Ron Wyden plans to place a hold on Sean Planck, President Trump's nominee for CISA director. For more on why he chooses to do that, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices