Federal Drive with Tom Temin

Republicans in Congress are arguing amongst themselves over 2024 spending levels, as well as with the Democrats. Now the talk of a lapse in appropriations and a government shutdown are already in the air. Federal Drive host Tom Temin talks about all of that with WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Defense Department has been dealing with Chinese planes and ships harassing U.S. planes and ships. The State Department has dealt with Chinese aggression on the diplomatic front. China has also emerged as a central challenge for the Commerce Department, by design, according to Federal Drive host Tom Temin's guest: Wire China staff writer Katrina Northrop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When many members of Congress are unable to manage a Facebook account, Don Beyer of Virginia has been pursuing a master's degree in machine learning. He's been at it for a year. For a progress report, Federal Drive host Tom Temin talks with the student himself: Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: A progress report on a sitting Congressman who is back in college. Defense and State aren't the only departments with a big China challenge. Budget talks for 2024 are rocking, raising talk of a government you-know-what. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office, facing employee engagement scores near the bottom of the federal government, is hoping to turn a corner in the coming years with the pending reauthorization of the office moving forward in Congress. DHS has consistently ranked near the bottom of the 17 “large” agencies in the “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government” rankings compiled by the Partnership for Public Service. Those low scores are largely driven by challenges at large DHS components like Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Love 'em or have 'em, federal proposed rules have a habit of becoming final. For contracting officers in the Defense Department, the latest acquisition regulation means they're obligated to use the Supplier Performance Risk System in evaluating bids. For what it means to contractors, Federal Drive hotst Tom Temin spoke with Piliero-Mazza attorney Kevin Barnett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Given the long-running and intense illegal immigration drama on the U.S-Mexico border, you might expect low morale for employees of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General has documented it. For details, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with Acting Deputy IG for Audits, Kristen Bernard and from Audit Manager David Lu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: You bet morale is sinking for Homeland Security employees on the southwest border. Contracting officers have a new rule contractors should worry about. The IRS CIO has definite plans in mind for its modernization funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the 2024 budget cycle, serious military recruiting problems appear to have put the House’s appropriations and authorization committees in a generous mood when it comes to personnel spending. Although all uniformed servicemembers are likely to see their biggest raise since the George W. Bush administration, the House’s legislation would give the military’s most junior members even larger increases, along with a host of other provisions meant to improve compensation and quality of life for lower-ranking enlistees. All military members are expected to get a 5.2 percent pay increase next year: President Biden’s proposed budget and the House appropriations and authorization bills each agree on that figure, and that raise alone would be the biggest percentage increase uniformed members have seen since 2002. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Veterans Benefits Administration is looking to accelerate its use of automation tools this summer to keep pace with its workload and break new records on the number of claims it can process in a year. VBA officials told members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee that increased automation stands out as a key part of the agency’s five-year modernization plan. Raymond Tellez, VA’s acting assistant deputy under secretary for automated benefits delivery, told lawmakers on Wednesday that VBA, as part of its five-year modernization plan, is piloting automation technology to help decrease the time it takes to process claims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The push for ever-more productivity. The noodging to return to the office. the political comings and goings. The funding uncertainty. It's enough to convince some feds it's time to retire. But think about it first. There's an opportunity cost to retiring. For more, Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with retired federal manager and financial adviser Abe Grungold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Immersive technology has shown real promise in treating both physical and psychological illnesses. It is taking hold at the Veterans Health Administration, enabled by a special network called the Extended Reality Network. The leaders of the team that built the network are finalists in this year's Service to America Medals Program. Federal Drive host Tom Temin spoke with Anne Lord Bailey and Caitlin Rawlins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the view of one business group, the Federal Data Strategy needs a top-to-bottom rethinking. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation says the strategy simply doesn't serve the needs of a government trying to modernize and digitize. For more, Federal Drive host Tom Temin talked with Eric Egan, the foundation's policy fellow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Federal Drive with Tom Temin: Is the Federal Data Strategy more than just a piece of paper? For the Veterans Health Administration, virtual reality is more than fun and games. Retirement might be more complicated than getting a job in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can’t tune into a webinar, go to a conference or listen to a speech by a federal technology executive these days without them slipping in a mention of generative artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT. Yes, it’s the latest buzzword to join the litany of past excitement over cloud computing, robotics process automation and most recently, zero trust. But unlike cloud or RPA or even zero trust, generative AI is striking apprehension in the hearts of federal officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices