The White House recently announced an executive order that authorizes employers to defer the Social Security payroll tax from September 1, 2020 through the end of the year for employees who make less than $3,999 per biweekly pay period, known as a payroll tax deferral. This new order has left many agencies and employees with various questions like whether employees can opt-in or out of the program and what happens to federal employees who leave their agencies before or during the window of repayment.

Joining the Coast Guard is no simple feat. Learn what recruits endure during their training at U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On August 31, 2020, in a 2-1 decision after a remand from the en banc court, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that the Committee on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives (“Judiciary Committee”) had no valid cause of action to enforce its subpoena for executive branch records related to former White House Counsel Donald F. McGahn, II, where the Executive Branch blocked McGahn’s testimony and asserted “absolute testimonial immunity.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, federal law enforcement officers have been faithfully serving the public throughout. As FEDS Protection has detailed previously, COVID-19 has increased pressures and expanded the already long list of challenges that federal law enforcement officers face on a daily basis.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a proposed rule detailing their intention to modernize biometrics collection and authorize expanded use of biometrics beyond background checks to include identity verification, secure document production, and records management in a press release dated September 1, 2020.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report last month in which they investigated the prevalence of time and attendance misconduct and fraud within federal agencies. The report describes what is known about the extent of time and attendance misconduct and potential fraud across the 24 agencies using reporting controls and technologies under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (CFO Act) to monitor employee time and attendance.

A joint advisory released by the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) as a result of a collaborative research effort by CISA’s international cybersecurity counterparts in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom announced tips for recognizing malicious online activity. The advisory provides advice on how to best handle breaches in cybersecurity.

Two defendants who previously pled guilty to the misrepresentation of Native American-style goods and services in an amount greater than $1,000 were sentenced in federal court, according to a Department of Justice press release dated August 27, 2020.

A dual-status military technician, whose position was partially civilian and partially military, appealed his termination for failing to maintain membership in the National Guard, a prerequisite to his dual-status appointment under 32 U.S.C. § 709(b), to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The MSPB took jurisdiction and heard the case on the merits, ultimately affirming the termination. The employee petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for review. On August 21, 2020, the appeals court vacated the MSPB decision, finding that the Board did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal in the first place.

As part of our commitment to providing civilian federal employees and their families with access to products and services that promote their health, welfare, and financial well-being, WAEPA has compiled some of the top federal resources you need to be “in the know” for Open Season.

Like scores of organizations across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum to change the way it engages with visitors. Despite the current global health pandemic, the organization remains committed to its mission of honoring the fallen, making it safer for those who serve and educating the public about the history of American law enforcement.

Law enforcement is constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the average citizen. This video discusses one officer’s take on a shift that is needed in the relationship between police and the communities they serve and protect.

Recently passed legislation, the Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020, would improve financial assistance to families of first responders and public safety officers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A press release announcing the passage of this new law reported that the International Association of Fire Chiefs estimated that more than 13,000 firefighters and other first responders have been exposed to COVID-19 while on the job and, according to the Fraternal Order of Police, 164 police officers have died in the line of duty due to COVID-19 as of July 27, 2020.

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will nominate Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chad Wolf to permanently assume the role. Wolf has been acting secretary since November of 2019, and the department has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since Kirstjen Nielsen resigned in April of 2019.

Four defendants who were convicted for their roles in a dog fighting conspiracy recently received their prison sentences, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated August 25, 2020.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was planning on furloughing at least 13,000 employees at the end of this month due to budgetary shortfalls. On Tuesday, Joseph Edlow, the agency’s Deputy Director for Policy, announced the agency will have enough funding to maintain operations through the end of the year following Congressional pressure.

Chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Vice Chair of the Committee, Representative Tom Graves (R-GA), spoke to host Jason Briefel on this week’s episode of FEDtalk. Briefel also spoke with Congressional reform advocates Kevin Kosar of the R Street Institute and Daniel Schuman of Demand Progress.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals recently held that an FBI notice identifying a suspect as armed and dangerous justified an officer’s demonstration of his weapon and use of handcuffs during Terry stop and frisk.

Do you have the physical capabilities it takes to become an FBI agent? Learn about some of the rigorous physical training that FBI agents endure before they can start their careers.

In today’s world, planning is essential. People are living longer and need a long-range care plan that can sustain them throughout their lifetime.