The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
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Clearer numbers on the federal workforce are coming into view. That’s with the Office of Personnel Management’s major update to one of its largest data assets, FedScope. The now renamed “federal workforce data” website aims to deliver information faster, and with more frequent updates. 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.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are getting closer to reaching a comprehensive spending package for the rest of fiscal 2026. In the latest step, House and Senate appropriations reached a deal on a new set of spending bills covering financial services, foreign affairs and national security. The spending plan spares the IRS and the State Department from major cuts and calls on speeding up the disposal of excess federal real estate. Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman joins us with 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.
A December 9th letter signed by over 100 former Justice Department civil rights lawyers warns that the Division is “under attack,” citing actions that undermine enforcement and erode judicial independence. Here to explain what’s at stake and what it means for everyday Americans, is Paul Kiesel, attorney and founder of Speak Up for Justice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new Veterans Affairs Inspector General audit shows 61% of veterans flagged for homelessness at VistA sites didn’t get proper follow-up, exposing systemic weaknesses in the referral processes. Here to explain what went wrong, the risks for veterans and how the VA can fix it is Steve Bracci, a Deputy Assistant Inspector General for the Office of Audits and Evaluations at VA OIG. 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 spent anytime on LinkedIn over the last month, you may have seen what seems to be a constant stream of executives leaving federal service. Whether they are retiring, took the deferred resignation program or just through normal attrition, the exodus of federal executives feels more acute than ever before. In the federal report this week, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller takes a deep dive into the data and offers federal executives who recently left some advice to find success in the private sector. Jason 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.
The nation’s newest military service still has a lot of work to do to chart its future. The Space Force had been planning to use a new “Futures Command” to handle that work, and it was supposed to be up and running by last year. That didn’t happen as scheduled. But the idea’s not dead either. Leaders say they’re still planning a new organization to help shape the service’s future, but they also needed to make sure it aligns with the new administration’s priorities. Details now from Federal News Network’s Jared Serbu. 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 Environmental Protection Agency may be relying on air quality data that underreports pollution. Biased data can mean declaring areas clean when they’re not. A recent report from the agency's IG warns that gaps in EPA oversight could expose communities to harmful pollution. Assistant Inspector General Paul Bergstrand is here to explain the risks and the fixes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act aims to give the VA dedicated capacity to research emerging treatments for PTSD and other invisible wounds. We’ll hear from Representatives Lou Correa from California and Jack Bergman from Michigan, the lawmakers behind the push, and what it means for veterans and families. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Behind every health policy and intervention is data, but some of that data may soon be gone. A new analysis warns of cascading effects on research, programs and health equity, unless action is taken now. Joel Gurin, President and Founder of The Center for Open Data Enterprise is here to explain what’s at stake and what might be done. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal Emergency Management Agency started off the new year by not renewing appointments for 50 disaster management staff. That cut is sparking concerns about potential FEMA plans for deeper staff reductions. For more on the situation, 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.
The IRS is weeks away from the start of a busier-than-usual filing season. But a group of senators is warning that the agency may be stretched too thin to respond to taxpayers’ needs. The agency lost about a quarter of its workforce last year and is embarking on a major shakeup of its IT operations. 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.
Consumer “Made in USA” claims require products to be “all or virtually all” U.S.‑made, while federal procurement uses different and tightening domestic content tests under the Buy America Act and the Berry Amendment. That complexity is colliding with the President’s new PMA goal to “Deliver Results and Buy American.” It raises the stakes for verification, disclosure, and enforcement. Here to sort out what contractors must do to stay compliant is counsel at Reed Smith and former FTC “Made in USA” program manager, Julia Ensor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The House has passed the Commerce Justice Science minibus, but lawmakers face a packed agenda before the January recess. Appropriators aim to release text for the next bundle including State Foreign Ops, Financial Services and Homeland Security soon, even as DHS funding hangs in the balance after a fatal ICE shooting. We’ll also track ACA subsidy talks in the Senate, war powers votes brewing on both sides of the Capitol and how Republicans plan to regroup after their retreat. We hear from Mitchell Miller, Capitol Hill correspondent for WTOP. 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.
Federal agencies face mounting pressure to modernize without sacrificing security or compliance. Will Fortier, CEO of Hive Group, joins us to discuss the tech and process innovations driving mission value, the critical decisions behind Hive’s growth, and what the next five years look like for federal contracting 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.
The Office of Personnel Management is out with new guidance on telework and remote work for federal employees. The updated policy now emphasizes as much in-person presence as possible across government. OPM’s revisions aim to better align with the Trump administration’s return-to-office orders. Here with the details, 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.
President Donald Trump took aim at defense contractors Wednesday, announcing new restrictions on executive pay and stock buybacks as part of the administration’s push to speed procurement and revitalize the defense industrial base. Trump said companies are not permitted in any way, shape or form to pay dividends or buy back stock, until they are able to produce a superior product, on time and on budget." He also said he would ask Congress for a $1.5 trillion defense budget in fiscal 2027. 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.
Despite strong bipartisan support and rising repair costs, right-to-repair provisions were stripped from the NDAA. Now, all eyes are on the REPAIR Act as lawmakers debate whether Americans should control how and where they fix their vehicles. Justin Rzepka, executive director of the Consumer Access to Repair Coalition, breaks down what’s at stake. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The federal government’s oldest legal obligations to provide health, education, and economic support for Tribal Nations remain chronically underfunded and uniquely vulnerable to shutdowns. A new Brookings Institution analysis argues Congress should shift more Native American funding to mandatory spending to protect treaty commitments. Here with more details is the report's author, Brookings Fellow Robert Maxim. Read the report here: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-government-shutdown-shows-the-need-to-reform-how-the-federal-government-funds-native-american-tribes-and-communities/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lawmakers said the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill would deliver “the most significant acquisition reforms in a generation,” but some of the most ambitious changes lawmakers were pushing for during negotiations didn't make it into the final. Still, some provisions that survived negotiations could meaningfully change how the Defense Department buys technology, especially from small businesses and nontraditional contractors. 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.
The Secret Service is aiming to hire thousands of new employees over the next two years. To meet its goals, the agency is trying to cut its hiring timelines in half. The Secret Service’s recruiting push is just the latest in a hiring spree happening across federal law enforcement agencies. 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.
From fragile states to disaster zones, ISOA helps bridge U.S. agencies and private sector capabilities. Its upcoming Global Summit in Washington will spotlight partnerships, small business opportunities, and trends shaping stability operations. Here with the details is Howie Lind, President of ISOA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
SIGAR was born in 2008 to fill a critical gap in accountability for U.S. reconstruction efforts. Its last report distills hundreds of audits into hard truths: systemic weaknesses that outlasted the mission and reforms that never fully took hold. As the watchdog sunsets in early 2026, Acting Inspector General Gene Aloise explains what happens next—and why those lessons matter now more than ever. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies expired at year’s end, leaving millions facing higher premiums and lawmakers facing tough choices. Here to explain the real-world impact, why offsets matter, and what Congress must do to balance health care access with fiscal discipline is former member of Congress and now Executive Director of the Concord Coalition and Concord Action, Carolyn Bourdeaux. 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.
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.
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.
