New VA secretary makes personnel moves

In today's Top Federal Headlines, newly appointed Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David Shulkin names a new Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary.

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on Federal Drive with Tom Temin.

In today’s Top Federal Headlines, newly appointed Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David Shulkin names a new Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary.

  • The White House wants ideas from citizens before President Trump appears before Congress. It’s an unorthodox approach in the run-up to Tuesday’s speech to the joint session. The White House sent a survey to those signed up for its email updates. The survey asks respondents to rate which administration accomplishments they consider most significant so far. And which of a dozen issues people think Trump should focus on. Plus there’s room for open-ended comments. (White House)
  • Budget experts said agencies and contractors should expect the unexpected for this upcoming budget cycle. The Professional Services Council said it wouldn’t rule out a government shutdown or two before continuing resolutions expire. Some experts said the Trump administration may look to change the rules on the defense and domestic spending caps, or on a possible sequester. (Federal News Radio)
  • The Trump administration is expected to ask for extra money to pay for the military in 2017. Former Defense Department Comptroller Bob Hale said he expects Trump to ask for more money to spend on troops in Europe to counter Russia. Hale hopes the extra money will also address some modernization issues the military has been dealing with. (Federal News Radio)
  • One way the government could save some dough: stop printing so many copies of the Federal Register. The Congressional Budget Office estimated the idea, which comes from a House bill, could save the Government Publishing Office as much as $1 million per year. CBO said GPO prints as many as 1,000 printed copies of the register every day. (Congressional Budget Office)
  • President Donald Trump has directed agencies to establish task forces to start cutting regulatory red tape. Trump said the task forces will be charged with reviewing rules and determining whether they are outdated, ineffective, or bad for jobs and the economy. Agencies have 60 days to appoint a regulatory reform officer and build their respective task forces. (Federal News Radio)
  • New governmentwide standards for laptops, desktop computers are under development. Officials from the governmentwide contracts from which agencies can buy standardized laptops and desktop computers are hosting an industry day this week. The General Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health and NASA will hold an education session on Feb. 28 in person in Rockville, Maryland, and via the web to talk about category management. The session also includes details on the development of the new configurations for the technology refresh of laptops and desktops. OMB in 2015 started requiring agencies to buy most of their laptops and desktops from one of these three GWACs. (National Institutes of Health)
  • A new digital warfare office is established by the Navy. The branch said it wants to mimic companies who are using their own data to create new digital strategies and make better decisions. the new office will reside within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Deputy CNO for information warfare Vice Adm. Jan Tighe will oversee it. (Federal News Radio)
  • President Trump’s nominee to be secretary of the Navy has withdrawn himself from the running. As recently as a week ago, the Pentagon denied reports that Philip Bilden was about to take himself out of the nominating process. But in a statement last night, Defense Secretary James Mattis said Bilden has backed out, citing what the private equity investor called “privacy concerns” and difficulties separating himself from his business interests. Bilden is the second high-level Defense nominee to accept and then reject a job in recent weeks. Vincent Viola withdrew his name from consideration as Army secretary for similar reasons. (Federal News Radio)
  • Recently appointed Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin makes some personnel announcements. After almost eight years, VA Chief of Staff Bob Snyder is retiring. Former Chief of Staff for the Veterans Health Administration Viveca Wright-Simpson will step in as Interim Chief of Staff. Also, Shulkin appoints Scott Blackburn as Acting Deputy Secretary. (Federal News Radio)

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