The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
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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.
A new report warns that America’s federal statistical system is “at risk,” citing steep staffing losses, shrinking budgets, and eroding public trust. The analysis outlines nine steps to stabilize the system and modernize data delivery. Nancy Potok, former chief statistician of the United States, explains why the fix may require an entirely new organizing strategy backed by law. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Congressional appropriators are rejecting some of the most severe agency budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration. It’s the latest step lawmakers are taking to pass a comprehensive spending plan for the rest of the fiscal year … and avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month. They’re also looking to put additional guardrails on unilateral agency reorganizations that could further shrink the federal workforce. 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.
Here's some good news for 2026, the buzzword in federal IT and acquisition community will not be artificial intelligence. But don't worry, AI and all the things around it will continue to be a hot topic. For more on the federal IT and acquisition topics, some experts say they'll be watching closely, Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me with details from his annual survey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Financial strain, workforce upheaval, and uncertainty marked the past year for servicemembers and veterans. Mike Meese, President of Armed Forces Mutual, looks back at the biggest challenges of 2025 and ahead to the policies that could shape 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The census is more than just a headcount. It's the foundation for funding schools, clinics, and roads. A new report shows why accuracy matters more than ever. Sean Moulton from the Project on Government Oversight is here with the details. 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 Veterans Affairs is embarking on big changes. Next year, it's looking to get the rocky rollout of the new electronic health record back on track. VA medical facilities already using the system have been beset with problems for years. Meanwhile, the VA is planning to roll out the biggest reorganization of its healthcare operation in decades. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman 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.
The Defense Department is expanding secure methods of authentication beyond the traditional Common Access Card, which will give users more alternative options to log into its systems when CAC access is impractical or infeasible. A new Pentagon memo lays out when alternative multi-factor authentication tools can be used and updates the list of approved authentication tools for different system impact levels. 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.
A federal mandate now requires states by December 2026 to confirm 80 hours of work or qualifying activities for Medicaid enrollees each month. Here to explain how automation could help states comply with these complex requirements and protect beneficiaries is General Manager and Senior Vice President at CITIZ3N, Rob Miller. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stricter federal compliance rules and mounting backlogs have exposed a critical weakness in how states process SNAP benefits. Modernizing document workflows in these outdated, paper-heavy systems could be the key to faster, more accurate aid delivery for millions of families. Andrew Joiner, CEO of Hyperscience, is here to share how AI can help solve the paperwork bottleneck. 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 Defense has unveiled its first wave of 31 class deviations under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, a move aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating procurement. At the same time, a draft executive order could impose new limits on buybacks, dividends, and executive pay for defense firms. Here to walk through what these changes mean for industry and mission delivery is Stephanie Kostro, President 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.
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 past year in federal cybersecurity policy was full of uncertainty; a change in administration, expiring authorities and the emergence of artificial intelligence all brought plenty of questions to the cybersecurity landscape. Going into 2026 cyber policymakers and experts are hoping for more clarity. For more on what to expect in the year ahead, 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.
Heading into 2026 the Trump administration appears to only be getting started on its plans for overhauling the career civil service. Further changes for the federal workforce are on the horizon, and many of them are laid out in the goals of the new President's management agenda. Here with a look at what's ahead for federal employees 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.
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.
Both chambers return with packed agendas: the House eyeing ACA subsidies, hearings, and unfinished appropriations, while the Senate juggles confirmations and spending bills. Looming over it all are big 2026 questions, will January end in a CR or a shutdown, who might rise or fall in leadership, and whether major legislation like CISA reauthorization, workforce protections, and AI rules can break through gridlock. Loren Duggan, Deputy News Director at Bloomberg Government, is here with his predictions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
If you’ve used AI to plan holiday travel or organize gift lists, you’ve seen its convenience. Agentic AI takes that autonomy further, promising to streamline operations and strengthen security, but it also demands new policies and workforce skills. Jason Oxman, President and CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council, explains what government must do now to prepare. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Julian Setian has scaled SOSi into a mid-tier powerhouse without outside equity or set-asides while betting big on innovation. From AI to ISR, he shares the pivotal shifts that define SOSi’s niche and its vision for the next five years in this episode of "Government Contractors to Watch" sponsored by JP Morgan Chase. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's January 2nd 2026, and today on the 'Best of' The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton, the closing panel for the Professional Services Council's VISION conference. Terry spoke with Vince Holloway, co chair of PSC defense panel and Kirsten Webb, co chair of their civilian agencies panel about how government contractors adapted to the disruptions of 2025 what strategies worked and what lessons were learned. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's New Year's Day 2026, and coming up on the 'Best of' The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton, we share some of our regular guests with their predictions for 2026. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The FAA has been working to update its aging air traffic control system, literally, for decades now. But 2026 is looking to be a big year on the FAA modernization front. The One Big Beautiful Bill Congress passed earlier this year puts more than $12 billion toward air traffic control modernization. And the FAA’s new administrator expects to obligate about half of that by the end of this fiscal year. Federal News Network’s Jared Serbu has an update on the agency’s modernization plans and how they’ve changed under the new administration. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Pentagon faces a shortage of more than 20,000 cyber professionals, and across the country, the civilian cyber shortfall is estimated at over 750,000. This raises big questions about how to build a stronger pipeline. Veterans bring mission focus and technical aptitude, but challenges remain in training, credentialing, and connecting talent to opportunity. Ryan Dunford of Bit Wizards is here to explore what works and what’s next for bridging the gap between military service and cyber careers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As contractors lean on AI to draft bid protests, some filings have cited cases that don’t exist or don’t support their claims. We’ll explore why this is happening, the legal risks and what AI means for speed and accuracy in acquisition with Stephen Bacon, partner in the Government Contracts Practice Group at Rogers Joseph O'Donnell. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The All of Us Research Program aims to build one of the largest health databases in history, but an OIG audit found weaknesses in the National Institutes of Health’s oversight and access controls that could put sensitive participant data at risk. Charles Summers from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is here to discuss what needs to change to protect privacy as enrollment grows. 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.
In 2025 for a change, federal acquisition dominated the news cycle. From the FAR overhaul to GSA's OneGov strategy to the increased scrutiny on consultants, contracting was front and center for much of 2025. For more on some of the top news stories across the federal technology and acquisition landscape, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller joins me with insights from his annual survey of experts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal retirement delays are gaining more attention and criticism in Congress. House Democrats are pressing the Office of Personnel Management for answers on how it’s addressing abnormally high retirement numbers. The application surge, largely caused by the deferred resignation program, is slowing down retirement processing for thousands of former feds. 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.
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.
It’s a mission shaped by harsh terrain and deep responsibility: recovering and identifying service members lost in an Alaskan crash more than 70 years ago. Kate Grosso and Carlos Colon, medicolegal investigators with the Department of Defense, share what it takes to make that happen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After nearly two decades shaping data sharing and governance across federal agencies, Kshmendra Paul has been elected a NAPA Fellow. We’ll talk about his proudest accomplishments, what this honor means, and his advice for the next generation of public servants. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
