transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:00] This is a Federal News Network podcast. Coming up today on the Federal Newscast, The Coast Guard partially reopens the National Maritime Center. The Trump administration proceeds with its third pick for VAIT leader. And the House Appropriations Committee looks to keep some technology modernization funds at 2026 levels. These stories and more on today's Federal Newscast. Welcome to The Federal Newscast. I'm Michele Sandiford. The Coast Guard is partially reopening the National Maritime Center. In a notice this week, the Coast Guard said NMC civilian staff have returned to work, as the Department of Homeland Security taps into emergency funds during the partial government shutdown. The NMC will process applications for merchant mariner credentials, medical certificates and course approvals on a first in and first out basis. But Regional Examination Centers will continue to be closed to walk-in customers. Last week, Coast Guard leaders told Congress there's a growing backlog of 18,000 merchant mariner credentials due to the shutdown. The Trump administration is proceeding with its third pick to oversee technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs. President Donald Trump nominated Gary Shatswell, a senior advisor, to Secretary Doug Collins, to serve as the VA's Chief Information Officer and Assistant Secretary for IT. The position requires Senate confirmation. The president submitted two other names to lead VA IT during this second term, but withdrew both of them. The VA Deputy Secretary is currently leading the department's tech portfolio on an interim basis. House Appropriations Committee lawmakers are supporting government-wide technology modernization funds at consistent levels for fiscal 2027. The Financial Services and General Government Bill is recommending to match what the Federal Citizen Services and IT Oversight and Reform Funds received this year in 2027. The Federal Citizen Services Fund would get $70 million, which is $1 million less than what the White House requested. The ITOR fund would get $8 million, which matches the president's request. Surprisingly, the committee is reversing course on the Technology Modernization Fund, allocating $5 million after zeroing it out over the last three years. The prospects of a federal pay raise next year are continuing to diminish. Federal News Network's Drew Friedman has more.

Speaker 2:
[02:46] That's after House appropriators this week made no mention of a civilian pay increase in their 2027 spending legislation. That now increases the chances that federal employees will miss out on a salary boost next year since the White House also omitted a civilian raise from its budget proposal. There's still time though for potential pay raise alternatives to come from Congress or the White House. Nothing is final until December. Drew Friedman, Federal News Network.

Speaker 1:
[03:14] The nominee to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is withdrawing his name from consideration. Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday has more.

Speaker 3:
[03:24] Sean Planky is asking President Trump to withdraw his nomination to be CISA director, saying in a letter to the White House that it's become clear the Senate won't confirm him. Planky was initially nominated last March. His pick had broad support within the cybersecurity community, but his nomination was held up by multiple senators for varying reasons, including Planky's role as a senior advisor within the Coast Guard. CISA has been without a permanent director since January 2025. Justin Doubleday, Federal News Network.

Speaker 1:
[03:58] House Republicans are encouraging the Office of Personnel Management to continue working toward consolidating the government's HR systems. The Appropriations Committee's proposed 2027 budget for OPM includes funding for the ongoing modernization initiative. If enacted, the committee's spending bill would also require OPM to give Congress a report on its HR data migration plans and its timeline for implementation. Agencies may be facing a new grading scale for small business contracting. Federal News Network's Jason Miller has the details.

Speaker 4:
[04:31] The Small Business Administration is considering several new factors to evaluate agencies against under its Small Business Scorecard. In a document sent to agencies last month, SBA says it will now grade them on how they're contracting with veterans, both service-disabled and non-service-disabled firms, how they're awarding more competitive ADA contracts, and how they're meeting the goals under the new Economically Disadvantaged category that now includes small-disadvantaged businesses and veteran-owned businesses. Congresswoman Nidia Velasquez, ranking member of the Small Business Committee, and other small business advocates, say these changes will reduce small business opportunities. Jason Miller, Federal News Network.

Speaker 1:
[05:07] Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is defending a plan for more staffing and spending cuts at the IRS. Federal News Network's Jory Heckman has more.

Speaker 4:
[05:16] Besant told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee that the IRS hit a home run this filing season. It had a busier-than-usual filing season because of changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The agency also saw a 27% reduction in its workforce. But the Trump administration is calling for a $1.4 billion cut to the IRS budget next year and reducing its headcount by about 2,000 employees. Besant says new tech tools at the IRS will allow it to do more with less. Jory Heckman, Federal News Network.

Speaker 1:
[05:47] You can find these stories and more on our website, federalnewsnetwork.com, and you can subscribe to the Federal Newscast along with The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton, wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Michele Sandiford.