Open Season kicks off today. Federal employees and retirees are facing another round of double-digit premium hikes, shifting plan defaults, and new coverage options. Here to explain what’s changing and how to avoid paying for coverage you don’t need is John Hatton from NARFE. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Like the other military services, the Army has now recovered from the recruiting challenges it faced over the last several years. But even during the peak of those problems, a bright spot was that retention stayed strong. Now the Army is trying to capitalize on that strength by thinking more carefully about which soldiers it keeps and where. As Federal News Network's Jared Serbu reports, the Service wants to retain its soldiers in the fields where they're most needed, focus its retention efforts more on officers and put an emphasis on quality over quantity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The decision by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 high volume markets beginning this morning, isn't just a reaction to the now longest partial government shutdown ever. FAA is seeing the strain on air traffic controllers who are starting to call out sick more often. A new Federal News Network pulse poll finds FAA employees aren't the only ones working without pay that may be calling out sick or taking part in a sick out if this shutdown continues deep into November. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller joins me now to discuss what we found in our latest 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 Cuts to U.S. emergency food aid are straining global relief efforts and reshaping how the State Department handles humanitarian crises New CMMC rules take effect Monday, with contractors facing unclear thresholds, shifting clauses, and real risks to eligibility 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 first major cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency hit the U.S. Agency for International Development. About 85% of its programs were eliminated, and the rest, including emergency food aid, were folded into the State Department. That food aid program has long had bipartisan support, but the transition hasn’t been seamless. Federal News Network's Eric White recently spoke with Vincent Smith from the American Enterprise Institute to explore the program's growing pains. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Starting Monday, some Defense contracts will require verified cybersecurity compliance under new CMMC rules. But contractors face murky thresholds, shifting clause language, and real risks to eligibility. For the details on the changes, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu spoke with Dan Ramish, partner at 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 Office of Personnel Management is hinting at some upcoming initiatives aiming to bring more tech talent into the federal workforce. At the same time, OPM says it's looking to improve early career recruitment and focus more on applicant skill sets rather than job titles. But OPMs big hiring goals also come after hundreds of thousands of feds have left their jobs this year. 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.

Pentagon leaders came under fire Tuesday for quietly reorganizing part of the Defense Department's policy office without notifying Congress. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis 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.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Where the government shutdown is affecting intellectual property Melwood is proving that inclusive employment can thrive When the government shuts down, who protects federal workers' paychecks and their jobs? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the current shutdown tops the 35-day record of 2018-2019, the impact on the federal workforce grows. The administration has signaled it may withhold back pay from furloughed employees and proceed with mass reductions in force, despite clear legal protections. Attorney Heidi Burakiewicz breaks down the Anti-Deficiency Act amendments, ongoing litigation in California courts, and what federal employees facing RIF notices need to know about their rights and legal recourse. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The government shutdown is rippling through the world of intellectual property. To find out which parts of the IP system remain lit, and which have gone dark, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Jarom Kesler, a partner with Knobbe Martens. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melwood has been a pioneer in disability employment for nearly 60 years. Today, the organization supports workers at more than 60 federal sites, delivers tailored vocational services, and partners with researchers and agencies to expand opportunities for neurodivergent talent. Here to share how Melwood’s model continues to evolve and what it means for the future of inclusive work is President and CEO Larysa Kautz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The vast majority of employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are still working during the government shutdown, and most are being paid on time through advanced appropriations. Even so, tens of thousands of VA employees are not getting paid right now because they're either furloughed or working without pay. Veteran Service Organizations say that the shutdown has also limited their services to veterans. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has been covering this. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon Cyber Security Maturity Model certification is less than a week away from becoming an official acquisition rule. Now the Defense Department's lead Small Business Office is polling companies about their readiness to meet the CMMC requirements for more on CMMC finally becoming a reality 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.

With the 11th shutdown of the U.S. government since 1976 underway, the economic ramifications are being felt all over. For some analysis on some of the most affected areas, we welcome Chip Lugo, an analyst with WalletHub. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Employees of the government, and the companies agencies work with are both feeling the strain of this ongoing shutdown. Now, one industry group is asking Congressional leaders to lessen the financial blow the best they can. Federal Drive host Terry Gerton spoke with Jim Carroll earlier this week, who is the Executive Director 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.

Well here we are again. A government shutdown that doesn't appear to be ending any time soon, and federal strain is abound. With many employees furloughed, or even being laid off due to the shutdown, they're looking at all options to pay their bills. We thought we'd speak with someone who's been down this road before and can give some tips for getting through it. We welcome back to the program Abe Grungold, former federal employee and founder of AG Financial Services. 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 GertonWhere the shutdown is having the biggest impact geographically speaking Financial tips from a retired fed who's seen his share of shutdowns When a shutdown impacts mission, how does industry hold on when contractors are left unpaid See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Though many federal employees have been through shutdowns in the past, a significant majority say things are very different this time. Around about 70% of respondents to a recent Federal News Network survey say the current shutdown feels much less certain than usual. Some survey takers also say the Trump administration's recent actions have only built on the challenges feds have faced this year. Here with more on the survey results 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.

More than 211,000 people have left federal service since January. tens of thousands of employees of contractors are also newly unemployed after the Trump administration cut spending and terminated contracts. In this week's federal report, Federal News Network Executive Editor Jason Miller tells the story of two job seekers and what others can learn from their six month saga.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.