The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
About
Available on
Community
13807 episodes
Freedom of Information Act backlogs have been increasing across government for years. But the Trump administration’s workforce cuts have deepened challenges for already strained federal FOIA offices. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As the conflict in the Middle East escalates following the U.S. and Israel’s launch of “major combat operations” against Iran, Defense Department employees say the demands of a new war are adding strain to an already stretched workforce. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis has more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New research argues that opportunities for public comment are shrinking on both sides of the Atlantic, as governments move faster and give people less time to respond. Those shortcuts may seem efficient, but they come with real risks for transparency and the quality of policymaking. Steven Balla, co-director of the regulatory studies center at George Washington University, is here to explain the pros and cons. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Congress is heading into the Easter recess with the Department of Homeland Security still unfunded and no clear path to a deal. The president’s move to ensure TSA agents continue getting paid may buy time, but it doesn’t resolve the broader standoff or the demands piling up behind it. Loren Duggan of Bloomberg Government joins us with the latest read on where things stand and what’s likely to move—or harden—during the break. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ongoing U.S. operations tied to Iran are driving a rapid drawdown of munitions, putting new pressure on the defense industrial base. While billions have already been invested to expand production, questions remain about how resilient that system really is under stress. To explore what matters most right now, I’m joined by the Director, Center for the Industrial Base at CSIS, Jerry McGinn. 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 __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Trump administration says it is open to hiring more federal employees, but with one big caveat. The Office of Personnel Management says that should only happen if agencies can cut down their contractor support. OPM Director Scott Kupor expanded on that idea and many of the administration’s other priorities during a House subcommittee hearing this week. Here with more, 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.
A federal judge ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs to restore its labor contract with its largest union. The VA says it has complied with that ruling, but documents show that it isn’t actually implementing the contract’s provisions. The case focuses on an executive order President Donald Trump signed last year barring many agencies from collective bargaining. Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman has more. 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 __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The National Urban League says many people are exhausted by political noise but still care deeply about the country’s future. Its new guide, released ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, is meant to meet people where they are and give them practical ways to engage. Joining us to explain the thinking behind it is Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
ACT-IAC has relaunched its Partners Program with a 2026 class built for a moment when government and industry are looking for steadier leadership. The new cohort brings together senior leaders who want to deepen their impact and learn from a Pathfinder team drawn from across agencies and major contractors. We get the big-picture view of this new chapter from ACT-IAC President and CEO, Dave Wennergren. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The FAA’s Terminal Flight Data Manager system is now fully operational at DCA, bringing predictive tools, integrated surface displays, and a shared real‑time picture of the airfield. The goal is simple: fewer delays, stronger coordination, and a smoother experience for millions of passengers each year. We explore what travelers will notice and what comes next with Doug Lieberman, Vice President and CTO of air traffic for Leidos. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
These days you can bet on almost everything from sports to politics to the stock market. At the Department of the Navy, PEO Digital is making big bets on technology. As part of its shift to a more lean, startup mindset, the Navy is making small investments in technologies that they hope will deliver big results. For more on how the Navy’s Program Executive Office Digital is testing and deciding on its technology bets, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller talked to Louis Koplin, the acting program executive officer for the Navy’s PEO Digital. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has now stretched for more than 40 days. And Transportation Security Administration employees say they’ve reached a breaking point. TSA call outs are leading to delays at some airports. And the agency is losing staff as it prepares for record-high levels of travel this summer. For more, Federal News Network’s Justin Doubleday joins me. 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 __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Bipartisan Policy Center's new report argues that piecemeal reforms can’t solve today’s labor and skills challenges. Instead, it calls for a shared strategy that shapes decisions across education systems, workforce programs, and employers. We’ll explore what that would mean in practice with Margaret Spellings, former Secretary of Education and current president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With U.S. markets down and volatility on the rise, war in the Middle East is adding a new layer of anxiety for TSP investors. History shows markets have reacted to past conflicts in uneven, but often surprising ways, and those lessons matter for today’s decisions. Joining me to talk through what to do, what to avoid, and how strategies differ for workers and retirees is financial planner Art Stein. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More than 350,000 federal employees left the government in 2025, whether voluntarily or by force. But some positions and agencies were more heavily targeted by the Trump administration, while others saw increases in their numbers. An in-depth analysis of data from the Office of Personnel Management reveals key details of where the federal workforce stands today. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman gets more from Drew DeSilver, a senior writer at the Pew Research Center. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The State Department carried out widespread layoffs last summer. But it’s still scrutinizing its workforce. The Department is planning to potentially remove or reassign more Foreign Service employees who don’t meet new performance standards. This comes as the Trump administration is planning to limit the number of federal employees who can receive top marks on their annual performance reviews. Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman has more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The regulatory landscape around climate policy is shifting, and many agencies are left with outdated tools to manage modern risks. The Federation of American Scientists' Center for Regulatory Ingenuity hopes to give them a clearer path, offering practical guidance, partnerships and support for innovative approaches. We’ll talk through that mission with Dr. Hannah Safford, Associate Director of Climate and Environment at FAS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new document from The Aspen Institute makes a blunt point: America’s water systems are strained by climate, growth and aging infrastructure, and the nation has no coherent plan to deal with these challenges. The report calls for a national framework to modernize infrastructure, reform governance and elevate water as a core economic issue. To find out more about what it will take to move this from proposal to action, I'm joined by Dr. Newsha Ajami, founding director of the Risk, Resilience, and Recovery program at Stanford. 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 __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Americans hear about Marines deploying toward the Middle East, it can sound like the first step toward a ground war. In reality, these forces are often used to prevent leaders from being boxed into one. To explain what this deployment does; and doesn’t mean, I’m joined by combat veteran and national security expert, Colonel William Dunn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal employees are reporting significantly diminished engagement in their jobs and declining views of political leadership. New survey results from the Partnership for Public Service show major drops in satisfaction and morale during 2025. That’s after a year of upheavals across the federal workforce. Here with more, 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.
It’s been nearly 10 months since the Trump Administration unveiled its “merit hiring” plan. And the plan has changed a bit since then, along with the administration’s overall workforce goals. Strict quotas for workforce reduction are gone, for example. And there’s a new emphasis on pooled recruitment for technical jobs. Scott Kupor is the director of the Office of Personnel Management. He shared a progress report with 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.
Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton __ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We’ve been talking about what’s changing in GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule and how contractors will have to respond. The next question is how industry is reacting, especially as agencies try to buy AI through systems that weren’t designed for it. To take us there, I’m joined by Jim Carroll, CEO of the Professional Services Council. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The General Services Administration is rolling out the government’s first acquisition regulation clause written specifically for artificial intelligence systems. It sets sweeping new rules on data ownership, licensing, disclosure and who’s on the hook when AI is used in contract performance—raising red flags across the contracting community. We’ll break down what’s in the clause, who it applies to, and why industry groups are pushing back, with Dan Ramish, Partner with Haynes Boone. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The administration is telling American diplomats to challenge foreign data‑localization laws, raising fresh concerns for firms that move data across borders. Those rules are multiplying overseas, creating real tension for companies already navigating privacy, compliance and fast‑moving AI demands. To understand the practical implications of this new approach, I'm joined by Robert Cruz, vice president for regulatory and information governance at Smarsh. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Trump administration is sending industry mixed messages when it comes to artificial intelligence. On one hand, the White House is emphasizing the use of commercial products and standards. But on the other, recent actions by DoD and GSA send the exact opposite message. For more on how the administration is causing confusion and concern in the federal market when it comes to AI, Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me to discuss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
