The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The shutdown reflects more than missed deadlines. It’s the result of years of executive overreach, weakened oversight and a funding process that’s lost its guardrails. Here to explain how these shifts have eroded trust and what it will take to restore transparency and accountability is the Project On Government Oversight's Director of the Effective and Accountable Government Program, Faith Williams.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 GertonWith the shutdown underway, federal workers brace for furloughs and financial strainFurloughed feds may need unemployment help they never expected to useA lack of transparency and trust got us to the shutdown. What will get us out?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 The Federal Drive with Terry GertonAs federal workers face uncertainty, one retiree is sending a heartfelt thank you... through musicWhen shutdowns become weapons, the damage goes far beyond the budgetBillion-dollar disasters are increasing and FEMA’s workforce may not be ready to respondSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether it’s the first day of a new fiscal year or the start of a government shutdown, the contributions of federal employees deserve recognition. Michael Perel spent nearly four decades at the Department of Transportation and now, in retirement, he’s using creativity and community service to honor the public servants who keep the country running. Michael joins me now to share his message and his music.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest White House memo on shutdown planning signals more than temporary disruption. It introduces the possibility of permanent job losses and a shift in executive power. If this approach becomes precedent, it could redefine how Congress and the White House negotiate the federal budget and exercise constitutional authority. Here to explain is professor emeritus at the University of Maryland and former dean of its School of Public Policy, Don Kettl.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tens of thousands of federal employees won't be coming into work on day one of a government shutdown, but the IRS says it will keep all of its employees working for a few days during the funding lapse. That's thanks to billions in multi-year modernization funds that Congress keeps clawing back. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman is here with more detail. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recent hurricanes, wildfires and floods have overwhelmed federal disaster response systems, with FEMA operating at a fraction of its staffing capacity. The GAO warns that workforce reductions and undertrained surge responders could jeopardize future recovery efforts. Here to explain the risks and what needs to change is director of Homeland Security and Justice at GAO, Christopher Currie.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Agencies are being allowed to continue any work related to reductions in force, even during a government shutdown. That's according to guidance the Office of Personnel Management published over the weekend. OPM's update comes as the Trump administration is encouraging agencies to conduct even more RIFs. Here with more on this is Federal News Network's Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Deferred Resignation Plan promised a smoother exit for federal employees. But with September 30 landing on the edge of a shutdown, that promise is under pressure. Retirement processing delays, furloughed HR staff and a surge in last-minute applications could leave some workers in a pay gap. Here to explain what’s at stake for DRP participants and other would-be retirees is principal with Retire Federal, Tammy Flanagan.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While a shutdown is looming, one federal department is positioned to have a lot of funding no matter the outcome of congressional negotiations. This week, the Department of Homeland Security has more than $150 billion to spend from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed over the summer, and federal contractors are following the money and positioning themselves to contribute to DHS's mission. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday joins me now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.