The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
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An overhaul of the government’s performance management system is coming down the pipeline. New proposed regulations from the Office of Personnel Management would change the annual review process for virtually the entire federal workforce. That includes a plan to limit how many federal employees can be ranked as so called “high performers.” Here with more 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.
An expunged record at the state level may not be enough to qualify for military service. A federal appeals court says the service branches can enforce stricter enlistment standards than those set by the Defense Department, and don’t have to honor state expungements when evaluating potential recruits. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis spoke to Ira Rushing, associate with Tully Rinckey PLLC, about how the court’s decision could impact current service members or potential recruits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Using exclusive retention data, Redeployable and Hire Heroes USA tracked where veterans actually stay and grow in the civilian workforce, even as AI reshapes entire industries. Their analysis spotlights six fields with strong job growth, high veteran staying power, and low automation risk — a combination that signals long‑term stability. We’ll break down why these fields stand out and what the research means for veterans making career decisions right now with Ben Read and Charlotte Creech. Ben is the Co-Founder and CEO of Redeployable and Charlotte is Chief Program Officer at Hire Heroes USA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
You've got the money, you'd like it to continue to grow throughout your retirement, where should you put it? It's an age old question that you get a different answer to depending on who and when you ask it. I certainly don't know the answer, so let's talk to someone who does. Certified financial planner Art Stein joins me. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The government brought in an all‑time high of $6.8 billion in False Claims Act recoveries last year, with healthcare driving most of the action. DOJ is zeroing in on managed care billing, drug‑pricing tactics, and medical‑device safety — and it’s adding discrimination in hiring and pay as a new area of focus. We’ll unpack what that means for companies and why enforcement keeps following the money with Kate Seikaly (CYCLE-y) of Reed Smith. 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 Education Department is handing off more work to other federal agencies, as part of plans to dismantle its operations. It’s sharing some of its duties with the departments of State Department and the Department of Health and Human Services. Education transferred some of its employees to the Labor Department last year. But so far, no employees have been detailed to State or HHS. 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 Defense Department’s much-delayed background investigation system is years behind schedule and billions over budget. DoD officials say they have a plan to finally deliver the system in the coming years. But lawmakers are concerned about more schedule slips and a lack of permanent leadership to oversee the program. 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.
Your final day of working can approach fast once you have it set. At least, that's what I've been told. The changes however can be even more rapid after you do retire. So what can you expect your first few months of not having to punch the clock every day? We welcome Private Wealth Adviser with RMG Advisors Thiago Glieger. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
__ __ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With 2026 underway, we thought we'd check in with office in charge of running the Capitol, the building that is. It's been over 230 years since George Washington laid the cornerstone for the building, and obviously it's come a long way. To find out what's in store for the future, Federal Drive host Terry Gerton talked to the one person who best knows that answer, Architect of the Capitol Thomas Austin. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
GAO reviewed how agencies work with Tribes to share decisions on natural and cultural resources and found that while these agreements can provide meaningful, long‑term participation, they’re built unevenly from agency to agency. Some agencies have the legal authority to create deeper partnerships, while others, including the Forest Service and NOAA’s marine sanctuaries don’t, limiting Tribal influence over similar lands and waters. We’ll explore what it will take to close those gaps with GAO’s Anna Maria Ortiz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Two decades ago, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said the space agency has become too dependent on outside contractors, hollowing out some of the skills the agency needs in-house to oversee and evaluate programs. Similar concerns rose to the top when NASA kicked off its Vision 2040 project in 2018. Now it’s NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s turn to pave over this well-known ground. In this week’s federal report, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller writes about why this latest attempt to refocus and reinvigorate NASA’s workforce may be different. Jason joins me now to discuss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With enforcement ramping up and penalties increasing, the Voluntary Disclosure Program is becoming the safest way to resolve past tax mistakes before they turn into something bigger. We’ll walk through the risks, red flags, and first steps with Valerie Makarewicz and Tino Lisella, Partners at Carlton Fields. 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.
Card‑skimming is no longer a local nuisance; it’s become a coordinated, multi‑state fraud pipeline built on speed, technology and volume. The Secret Service is tracing how these crews operate, and partnerships with banks and local police are helping shut them down. We’ll look at the scope of the threat and the impact on victims with Secret Service Special Agent Michael Peck. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
With the threat of a shutdown gone for most of the government at least, contractors can now shift their focus to some eventful business opportunities. For one thing, NASA is going through a transformation. Plus the upcoming FIFA World Cup could present some interesting opportunities. For more on that, we welcome 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 National Institutes of Health continued to lean into the use of artificial intelligence last year. The NIH has now initiated more than 100 AI pilots over the last few years. Those efforts ramped up as the health agency also navigated staffing cuts and other turmoil in 20-25. 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.
House Democrats are pressing Bureau of Prisons leaders on their plans to address long-time staffing shortages. For years, low staffing at BOP has contributed to operational issues and unsafe conditions across the federal prison system. A letter sent Friday to BOP’s Director says the workforce issues have reached a “crisis point.” 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.
The Supreme Court’s decision striking down the administration’s tariff framework landed in the middle of a crowded stretch on Capitol Hill, where talks to end the DHS partial shutdown have turned to carving agencies out for standalone funding. Lawmakers are also weighing everything from reconciliation plans to aviation safety and the latest FISA fight. We break down what to watch in the days ahead with WTOP’s Capitol Hill Correspondent, Mitchell Miller. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new federal law is about to require contractors to map their supply chains, vet their vendors, and prove they’re not relying on banned biotech companies. Many firms will discover exposure they didn’t know they had. We’ll explain what’s at stake with Alex Major, Partner and Co‑Chair of the Government Contracts & Global Trade Practice at McCarter & English. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After completing interviews with congressional and public users in November and December, the Congress.gov team is preparing for a new research phase this spring. The insights from last year’s sessions are guiding the next steps in modernizing the user experience. I'll explore the takeaways and what’s ahead with Chief of the Design Division, OCIO, at the Library of Congress, Kristin Davis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One of the key highlights of the Defense Department’s recent memo on multi-factor authentication for unclassified and secret networks is the clarification that DoD Public Key Infrastructure — not the common access card itself — is the department’s primary authenticator. Previous policies would often go back and forth between describing the CAC or PKI as DoD’s primary credential, creating confusion. Plus, the memo finally introduces passwordless authentication methods designed to give service members faster, more flexible access to systems. For more, Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis spoke with Alex Antrim and Adam Oliver, senior solutions engineers at Yubico.. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Transportation Department is pushing back against the old adage, “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” Instead, DOT is looking at all of its technology systems and infrastructure and asking how they can drive better outcomes, particularly through modernization. For more on how Transportation is modernizing many of its legacy systems, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller caught up with Pavan Pidugu, the chief digital and information officer at the Department of Transportation, to learn more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
DOJ’s first antitrust whistleblower reward signals a more aggressive approach to rooting out market‑allocation and procurement‑related fraud, especially in digital marketplaces. With employees now financially incentivized to report before companies self‑disclose, the competitive landscape for leniency has shifted. We explore how enforcement is changing with Ann O’Brien, partner at Shepherd and Co-Leader of the firm's Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. 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.
OMB’s new memo rescinds the Biden‑era requirements and shifts software and hardware security to an agency‑driven, risk‑based model. SBOMs and attestations move from “must” to “may.” That means CIOs and CISOs can tailor what they ask for from vendors, but they’ll also carry the burden of proving those choices keep mission systems safe. We’ll dig into what this change unlocks and where it could create blind spots with Jean‑Paul Bergeaux, Federal CTO at GuidePoint Security. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The White House’s new Great American Recovery Initiative reframes addiction as a chronic disease that needs steady support, not just clinical services — a shift meant to close the gap between how many Americans struggle with substance use and how few receive help. It calls for stronger coordination across government, healthcare, and communities to make recovery more accessible, more connected, and more rooted in real life. We’ll dig into what that means on the ground with Melissa Sosinski, host of Empathy Affect podcast, who’s spent years talking with leaders and people with lived experience about what recovery really looks like. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Over the last several weeks, lawmakers have been examining several bills that would affect federal employees in different ways. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, in particular, recently advanced legislation that may bring changes to federal benefits and hiring practices. Joining me with a review of these bills 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.
