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Federal Employees Win Over 100 Rulings Against Government Actions Since 2025

Federal Employees Win Over 100 Rulings Against Government Actions Since 2025

Since January 2025, federal employees have secured more than 100 rulings against government actions from judges, arbitrators, and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). These victories address various issues, including probationary firings, reductions in force (RIFs), and union contract disputes. Notably, approximately 24,000 probationary employees were issued form letters citing performance issues, which judges later deemed unlawful firings or disguised RIFs. The MSPB reinstated about 6,000 USDA workers, and a total of around 17,000 probationary jobs were saved. RIFs were blocked across 22 agencies, including the Department of Education and HHS, with some rulings upheld on appeal. Additionally, collective bargaining agreements were restored for employees at agencies such as the IRS, Forest Service, HUD, and the VA, with telework options reinstated for tens of thousands of IRS employees. Arbitrators also ordered the reinstatement of employees affected by RIFs at the EPA and found that probationary firi...

Representative Joe Courtney Introduces Bill to Safeguard VC-25B Bridge Aircraft from Transfer

Representative Joe Courtney Introduces Bill to Safeguard VC-25B Bridge Aircraft from Transfer

Representative Joe Courtney has introduced H.R. 10360, titled the 'Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act of 2026.' This bill, received on September 14, 2026, and currently having 18 cosponsors, aims to prevent the Department of Defense from using fiscal year 2027 funds to sell, donate, or otherwise transfer ownership or control of any aircraft in the VC-25B Bridge program to entities outside the Department of the Air Force. The legislation is designed to ensure these specific aircraft remain under Air Force control, thereby preventing their transfer to private individuals or organizations. The bill does not alter how the aircraft are built, operated, or directly funded, beyond restricting the use of FY2027 defense funds for any external transfer. This move underscores a legislative effort to maintain specific military assets within the established defense framework.

US appeals court upholds Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic

US appeals court upholds Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court upheld on Friday the Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic from military contracts, handing a victory to President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in their battle with the AI startup over safety guardrails on its technology.

Representative Brian Babin Advocates for Texas to Host U.S. Space Academy

Representative Brian Babin Advocates for Texas to Host U.S. Space Academy

Representative Brian Babin, an Air Force veteran, has expressed strong support for Texas to host the newly announced United States Space Academy. President Trump signed an executive order last month to launch this academy, and Governor Greg Abbott plans to submit a proposal for Texas to be its home. Representative Babin, who serves as Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, has publicly backed this initiative alongside Senator Cruz. He highlighted Texas's long-standing role in American human spaceflight, particularly referencing the NASA Johnson Space Center, and emphasized that while the U.S. space program is a national effort, Texas is where many critical components converge. His advocacy underscores the state's historical and ongoing contributions to space exploration and its potential as a future hub for space education and development.

Rep. Ben Cline Supports Trump Administration's Proposed Head Start Program Changes

Rep. Ben Cline Supports Trump Administration's Proposed Head Start Program Changes

The Trump administration has proposed significant changes to the federal Head Start program, aiming to reduce federal costs and increase the number of available childcare slots. These changes, announced in August, seek to free up an estimated $2.2 billion per year by 2031 and create 236,000 additional slots nationwide through easing regulations. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt County, has voiced his support for these proposed alterations. He stated that the administration's efforts are intended to return educational control to parents and states, believing that cutting 'red tape' and administrative costs will make the program more accessible to American children in need. The proposed changes include decreasing the administrative cost cap from 15% to 5% and shifting decisions regarding standards such as student-teacher ratios, education requirements, background checks, and transportation practices to individual states. The federal government maintains that components of Head Start required by statute, including...

White House Commission Addresses Critical Issues for Military Families, Prioritizing Childcare and Education

White House Commission Addresses Critical Issues for Military Families, Prioritizing Childcare and Education

A new presidential commission, established by executive order in August, has identified its initial priorities for supporting military families. After receiving thousands of policy suggestions from active-duty families, the 22-seat commission will focus on childcare, education, deployment-related support, employment, housing, and healthcare. These issues were highlighted as top concerns, with childcare and education appearing in nearly 40% of messages received. The commission, which includes wives of uniformed and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Coast Guard, aims to implement meaningful changes that military families have sought for decades. The White House has already referred some urgent cases from spouses to federal agencies for immediate assistance, including delays in permanent residency applications and visa issues for spouses of service members.

ICE is wasting tens of millions of dollars on 'uninformed' detention projects, report finds

ICE is wasting tens of millions of dollars on 'uninformed' detention projects, report finds

An investigation has found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies have wasted tens of millions of dollars pursuing uninformed plans to increase detention capacity, and the total will likely rise due to ongoing mismanagement

Federal Judge Halts USDA Reorganization Affecting Thousands of Employees

Federal Judge Halts USDA Reorganization Affecting Thousands of Employees

A federal district judge in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, has issued a temporary stay on sweeping reorganization measures at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The order, issued on September 21, 2026, comes amid ongoing litigation filed by federal unions. These unions argue that the USDA's complex reorganization plan unlawfully compels thousands of agency employees to choose between long-haul relocations or losing their jobs. The stay, which extends through October 2, 2026, prevents the USDA from implementing any deadlines related to the reorganization, including proceeding with terminations, separations, or disciplinary actions against employees who decline reassignment, do not respond to reassignment notices, or refuse to relocate. The USDA's plan involves relocating approximately 2,600 employees from the Washington, D.C. area to agency hubs across the country. Union attorneys contend that these moves are intended to cause significant attrition, thereby depriving the agency o...

Alliance of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders Proposes Unified National Wildfire Service to USDA and DOI

Alliance of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders Proposes Unified National Wildfire Service to USDA and DOI

The Alliance of Forest Service Retired Fire Leaders has sent a letter to USDA Secretary Rollins, DOI Secretary Burgum, DHS Secretary Mullin, and OMB Director Vought, advocating for the creation of a unified and consolidated U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) centralized within the Department of the Interior (DOI). The letter, also sent to relevant Congressional subcommittee chairs, proposes an immediate interim strategy to centralize and restructure the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) fire management program. This interim plan aims to align the entire wildland fire organization under career wildfire professionals within a unified, centralized chain of command, from frontline firefighters to the Deputy Chief of Fire. The Alliance argues that this dual approach will eliminate fragmented regional variances, elevate professional accountability, optimize overall mission delivery, and seamlessly align the USFS program with the DOI’s wildland fire structure. The proposal includes a 12-month phased implementation roadm...

President Trump Signs Executive Order to Modernize Veterans' Benefits and Employment Access

President Trump Signs Executive Order to Modernize Veterans' Benefits and Employment Access

President Trump signed Executive Order “Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities” on September 8, directing the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to modernize the sharing of military personnel files and treatment records. This order mandates the establishment of updated information technology systems, policy guidance, and memoranda for the permanent and ongoing transfer of Official Military Personnel Files and Service Treatment Records between the two departments. Specifically, the Department of Defense is required to ensure that current service members' official personnel files, health records, and Service Treatment Records are shared with the VA immediately upon discharge or release from the armed forces, and within 30 days of the order for existing records. The executive order also calls for separating service members to be connected with appropriate veterans' representatives to facilitate applications for healthcare, disability, home loan, job placement, or educa...

Representative Pat Ryan and Senator Elizabeth Warren Urge Public Hearings on Kuwait Attack

Representative Pat Ryan and Senator Elizabeth Warren Urge Public Hearings on Kuwait Attack

Representative Pat Ryan and Senator Elizabeth Warren, alongside 19 other lawmakers, have formally requested public hearings regarding the Port Shuaiba attack in Kuwait. The lawmakers sent a letter to the chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. The attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of six service members and injured over 30. This call for hearings stems from whistleblower allegations and subsequent reports that have raised concerns about the medical care provided, family briefings, medal awards, and the Defense Department’s investigation into the incident. Ryan and Warren initiated an investigation in April and expanded it in July following new information. They are seeking answers on whether appropriate protocols were followed and if public hearings are warranted to address these concerns.

GAO Report Reveals Deferred Resignation Program Cost Trump Administration $6.7 Billion for Non-Working Employees

GAO Report Reveals Deferred Resignation Program Cost Trump Administration $6.7 Billion for Non-Working Employees

A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) indicates that the deferred resignation program, implemented under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during President Trump's administration, cost $6.7 billion in paid salaries to federal employees who were not working. This figure contributes to a total of $9.5 billion in administrative leave expenses between 2023 and 2025, representing a 435% increase. The program, initiated in February 2025 with a 'Fork in the Road' email, offered 2 million federal workers the option to voluntarily resign while receiving full pay and benefits until September of that year. Approximately 140,000 employees accepted this offer. The DOGE, assembled by Elon Musk in the early days of President Trump's second administration, aimed to reduce government fraud and waste through workforce reductions and cancelled grants and contracts. While DOGE claimed to have saved taxpayers $215 billion, experts have disputed the actual savings, noting that the federal def...