GovExec

Democrats introduce bill to ease TSP withdrawals, loans during shutdowns The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would clarify that lapses in appropriations qualify federal workers to take a hardship withdrawal from the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement…

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act would clarify that lapses in appropriations qualify federal workers to take a hardship withdrawal from the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program and eliminate the associated 10% penalty in those instances. buff.ly/WitdyJp

Legal experts agree recent messages by the Trump administration about the shutdown at least pose ethical concerns about government impartiality. buff.ly/3zIY74o

A pair of federal employee unions on Tuesday filed a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from carrying out its threats to unleash mass reductions in force across government during the government shutdown that began Wednesday. buff.ly/URBDz2S

As Trump promises shutdown layoffs, fights over previous layoffs stall due to shutdown Employees involved in litigation are caught up in furloughs, though group says Trump is seeking to delay accountability.

The Trump administration plans new federal layoffs amid the ongoing shutdown, while legal challenges to previous staffing cuts are delayed due to furloughed Justice Department attorneys. Check out the details here: buff.ly/aj3PHJl

Some good news for federal employees: TSP shows steady growth and healthy fund performance The Thrift Savings Plan has surpassed $1 trillion in assets, providing steady returns in 2025.

The Thrift Savings Plan has exceeded $1 trillion in assets and posted solid year-to-date returns across its core and Lifecycle Funds. Our retirement expert Tammy Flanagan explains what this means, here:

Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.

Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices. buff.ly/kpkreSg

TSP funds continue to tick upward in September For a second consecutive month, all of the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan increased in value.

Each of the portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program increased in value in September, marking the second straight month of gains.

White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.

Federal agencies will begin issuing mass layoffs in the coming days, White House officials said on Wednesday, suggesting the forthcoming cuts would be a direct result of the current government shutdown. buff.ly/TUpYpHx

Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown A lapse in appropriations looked likely after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to keep federal agencies open past Sept. 30, while the House is not expected to return to Washington until next month.

Federal workers: Here’s your guide to pay, benefits and retirement during the government shutdown.

Government spirals toward shutdown with Trump promising mass layoffs A last-ditch effort to keep government funded failed Tuesday night. Agencies will begin furloughing staff on Wednesday.

The government is set to shut down after Congress failed to pass a funding bill. President Trump has vowed to implement mass federal layoffs and agencies are preparing for furloughs and potential permanent staff reductions. Details here: buff.ly/I3NuoT7

Just 23% of fed workers would be furloughed if the government shuts down, under the Trump administration’s plan Several agencies plan to keep more employees working than usual, leading to fewer workers being sent home.

If a government shutdown occurs tonight, the Trump administration plans to furlough just 23% of federal workers, a small fraction of the federal workforce.

Despite layoff threat, some feds see government shutdown as an opportunity to push back on Trump’s ‘lawlessness’ Federal employees and members of Congress who spoke at Monday’s press conference pointed out that agency reductions in force can proceed regardless of whether there’s a government shutdown.

Federal employees and members of Congress who spoke at Monday’s press conference pointed out that agency reductions in force can proceed regardless of whether there’s a government shutdown. buff.ly/bRm4hzv

Judge blocks Trump’s anti-union executive order for IFPTE-represented workers U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the president “clearly” exceeded his authority when issuing an edict stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of its collective bargaining rights.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the president “clearly” exceeded his authority when issuing an edict stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of its collective bargaining rights. buff.ly/DLhi4EP

With Washington facing a government shutdown, this is more than a typical budget standoff.

Here’s how this shutdown is different ⬇️ buff.ly/wyWAdPk

Sides remain divided, White House predicts shutdown will occur on eve of funding lapse Democratic leaders say “large differences” remain after meeting with President Trump.

White House predicts shutdown as GOP, Dems remain at odds over funding bill. With a day left before the deadline, both sides show no signs of compromise. buff.ly/x56sxaN

Bureau of Prisons the latest federal agency to cancel its union contracts Labor leaders said the effort to bust their union is particularly ill-timed, given the prospect of a government shutdown that could begin as soon as Wednesday.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons last week became the latest agency to formally cancel its collective bargaining agreements with federal employee unions, implementing President Trump’s executive order aimed at outlawing labor groups for two-thirds of the federal workforce. buff.ly/97iCbN2

Reductions in force could make bad situation worse for federal contractors during government shutdown Some federal contractors have already reported problems connecting with their contracting officers.

Professional Services Council President Stephanie Kostro on whether contracting officers will be reachable in a shutdown: “There are folks asking those questions now...'Is it going to get better or worse?’ I think the answer is to be determined.” buff.ly/RFkwjx4

Layoff implementation work is exempted from shutdown, Trump admin says Shutdown layoffs could be undone when funding is restored, according to new guidance.

While the Trump administration is threatening mass layoffs if the government shuts down this week, it is leaving the door open to those plans to be revised once Congress restores agency funding. buff.ly/hTNBswk

The ultra risks of a routine shutdown COMMENTARY | If Democrats risk a government shutdown this week, they may unwittingly play into the most dramatic shift of power to the executive branch in recent history.

COMMENTARY | If there is a shutdown, OMB may seize the power of the purse from Congress. buff.ly/oGna3ey

A developing database of constituent complaints to Congress could help agencies find systemic issues in their public services While Capitol Hill staffers help constituents when they have trouble getting assistance from an agency, there’s currently no way to track that information across congressional offices.

While Capitol Hill staffers help constituents when they have trouble getting assistance from an agency, there’s currently no way to track that information across congressional offices. But a database could change that. buff.ly/uRHZA61

So far, many agency leaders are telling staff not to take shutdown layoff threat seriously In at least one case, however, leadership has stressed that RIFs are a real possibility: “They want people to feel the impact of the shutdown."

Some agency leaders are telling staff not to take shutdown layoff threats seriously, even as the White House directs agencies to prepare notices. buff.ly/O20Tunv

Fired watchdogs can’t be reinstated despite Trump’s ‘obvious’ law breaking, court decides A federal judge determined the removed inspectors general could not show irreparable harm.

A federal judge rules Trump’s removal of 17 inspectors general violated the law, but refuses to order them reinstated, saying they failed to prove irreparable harm.

GAO: Forest Service upgrades to wildfire communications and tracking imperiled by Trump’s workforce downsizing The U.S. Forest Service neither agreed nor disagreed with a recommendation to develop a strategic plan for upgrading systems to track wildfire fighting resources, instead taking issue with the title…

GAO warns that Trump-era downsizing is delaying upgrades to wildfire communications and resource tracking, even as tech gaps risk lives in the field. 🔥 #Wildfires

Agencies should prep for mass layoffs if shutdown occurs, White House says OMB is requesting updated reduction-in-force plans even if a shutdown is averted.

OMB tells federal agencies to prepare for possible furloughs and layoffs if a government shutdown occurs. Details here: buff.ly/78FNAmv

Labor groups warn of ‘gaping hole’ in First Amendment if court OKs Trump’s anti-union orders The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will reexamine a prior decision allowing the White House’s effort to strip two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining…

Attorneys for the nation’s largest federal employee union warned that the August decision to allow President Trump’s executive orders stripping collective bargaining from two-thirds of the federal workforce would leave a “gaping hole” in the First Amendment if left in place. buff.ly/mZ528fJ

Dallas ICE facility is the sight of another shooting at a federal building The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of targeted violence.

A sniper early Wednesday shot three detainees, killing two, at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Dallas, according to the Homeland Security Department. The third individual is in critical condition. buff.ly/J46u0iu

Trump budget office is hiding federal spending information, ethics nonprofit alleges Federal courts have ordered the Office of Management and Budget to publish information about how agency funding is disbursed, but Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington contends that…

Federal courts have ordered the Office of Management and Budget to publish information about how agency funding is disbursed, but Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington contends that officials are using footnotes to obfuscate disclosure. buff.ly/ZlyED5J

As shutdown looms, federal agencies have no public plans for one How the Trump administration would handle a shutdown and who it plans to furlough remains a mystery.

Federal agencies are just eight days away from seeing their funding lapse and having to shutter their offices, though which employees will be sent home remains unknown. buff.ly/0SRdlIV

Census advisory committee meets despite Trump administration nixing it A Trump executive order directed the cancellation of “unnecessary” councils that advise on agency operations.

Members of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, which the Trump administration disbanded this past spring, met anyway on Sept. 18 after reconstituting as an independent panel to advise the U.S. Census Bureau. buff.ly/FvMzGVB

Newly elected Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., this week formally took over for his predecessor, the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, in leading advocacy for an array of bills aimed at improving the pay and civil service protections of federal workers. buff.ly/s0oHMZr