Federal Drive with Tom Temin

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.

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

Coming up today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin EPA workforce cuts mean major changes to environmental regulation This program may bring ride-sharing to a military base near you Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Environmental Protection Agency says most employees are back in the office now. The agency is taking steps to make sure they keep coming back. The EPA says it will track certain metrics and discipline employees who aren't working in the office full time. Other agencies are taking steps to monitor employee behavior as well. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman joins us with more of those details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Many people are utilizing ride-sharing apps as a method for commuting these days. However, that can be difficult if you work on a military base. As you can imagine, security protocols can make it hard for someone to drive up to one and ask if they can just drop someone off. The Army though is trying to find a workaround. A new pilot program is testing out methods to get certain drivers credentialed to make such drop offs. I learned more about it from Col. Mike Burns, Director of Public Affairs for US Army Forces Command who is in charge of the pilot. He was joined by Col. Chris Church, who is Provost Marshal for Army Forces Command. You'll hear from Col. Burns first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Based on the events from the first Trump administration, it didn't necessarily come as a surprise that cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency would be one of the first decisions to be made. Just like all the other ones facing downsizing though, the one surprise may have been just how far they would go. The White House is aiming for a 65 percent cut to the agency's workforce and activities. To find out what that would mean for environmental regulation overall, I spoke to former EPA Science Advisor Chris Frey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Federal annuitants can now access some key retirement information online. Severalretirement booklets are now officially available in a digital format from the Office of Personnel Management OPM. Update brings the agency a step closer to its years long goal of modernizing the federal retirement process. Here with more Federal News Network reporter Drew Friedman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Service members who were booted out of the military for refusing the COVID vaccine should now be getting letters of apology from the Defense Department. They could also be eligible for back pay if they choose to return to service. Federal News Network reporter Anastasia Obis joins us with more details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin The latest on the 2025 budget resolution How the secrecy surrounding DOGE structure impacts its accountability Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Congress has made some progress on setting spending limits for the next decade. But there are still some big hurdles to get over before we know the effects on agencies and employees. Federal News Network's Terry Gerton heard the latest details from NARFE's Vice President for Policy and Programs, John Hatton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices