The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Defense Department is tightening restrictions on who can win consulting contracts. A new DFARS amendment bars awards to firms that also advise certain foreign governments—unless they clear a high bar for conflict mitigation. Here to explain what contractors need to know before the rule takes effect on October 24 is Venable Partner, Diz Locaria.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More than 170 IRS attorneys have withdrawn from Tax Court cases since January, with dozens leaving the agency entirely. That’s slowing litigation, prompting settlements, and weakening the government’s ability to enforce tax laws. Here to explain what this exodus means for corporate accountability is Former Chief, DOJ Tax Division’s appellate section, Gil Rothenberg.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 IRS is losing lawyers, giving companies leverage in court A new DFARS rule could block defense contracts for firms with foreign consulting ties From heart health to health equity, Dr. David Goff is shaping science and inspiring public serviceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge is temporarily blocking the Trump administration from carrying out its latest round of federal employee layoffs at most agencies. Administration officials say RIF notices went out to about 4000 federal employees last Friday. President Donald Trump and senior administration officials say more layoffs could be coming at the end of this week. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins me with the latest.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Military service members are seeing paychecks hit their bank accounts this week after the defense department moved billions to cover military salaries, but it's unclear what legal authority allowed the department to move the funds, raising questions about whether it could violate the Anti Deficiency Act. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent deployments of Guard units to cities like D.C., L.A., and Memphis have raised tough questions about leadership, legality, and long-term impact. From command structure to civil-military relations, former Army Secretary and Congressman Patrick Murphy weighs in on what these missions mean for the Guard—and the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Common Cause has filed 54 ethics complaints against the Trump administration, citing violations of the Hatch Act, Anti-Deficiency Act, and Anti-Lobbying Act. The filings expose what the group calls a “fragmented, outdated” oversight system unable to confront coordinated abuse. Here to explain the findings and the case for a single, independent watchdog is senior vice president for policy and litigation at Common Cause, Omar Noureldin.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 What happens to public trust when the National Guard is deployed to American streets? Shutdown warnings turned into partisan messaging after ethics rules failed to hold the lineSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We begin today with the IRS, which has furloughed nearly half its workforce last week and carried out more layoffs. But the agency is telling some shutdown exempt staff that they could also be furloughed if they take too much leave. The IRS is preparing for more changes than usual for next year's filing season, and some employees are worried these changes leave them short staffed. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been covering this, and he joins me now with more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army's new secretary says he's getting ready to completely disrupt the service's acquisition bureaucracy. Secretary Dan Driscoll says the current system has been failing soldiers for decades with cost overruns and slow performance. He says big changes are coming in the next few weeks, including a new, more centralized structure. Details now from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.