The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The Defense Department has locked itself into another decadeslong lease this time for privatized military barracks, expanding a housing model that has posed significant challenges for military family housing for decades. A Senate lawmaker now warns that the 50 year agreement will limit the Pentagon’s ability to change contract terms and hold private companies accountable for inadequate living conditions. Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis has more.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Department of Homeland Security is in shutdown mode, but most DHS employees are continuing to work through the lapse in appropriations. Many DHS personnel will also have to work without pay until the White House and lawmakers negotiate a funding deal. For more, 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.

OPM’s customer‑service struggles are coming at the same time the agency is rewriting policies that affect job security and appeals. We’ll unpack what it all means for people counting on a stable, fair system with John Hatton, staff vice president for policy and programs at NARFE.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GAO reports that millions of residents still receive severe‑weather alerts only in English, and that the National Weather Service’s AI translation initiative risks stalling without better planning and stronger coordination. Technical constraints, resource shortages, and policy barriers are slowing progress nationwide. We look at what GAO recommends and how agencies can close trust‑eroding gaps with Cardell Johnson, Director, Natural Resources and Environment at GAO.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Secretary Doug Collins is a year into his tenure at the VA. He joins me now for a look back at what he learned over the past year and how those lessons informed his plan to reorganize the Veterans Health Administration. We'll also examine how VA is making progress in benefits eligibility decisions and payments. He'll lay out what’s changing and why. and what he hopes to accomplish in the year ahead. Here's my conversation with Secretary Collins.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.