The Federal Drive with Tom Temin - - Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly, who's been at the center of federal employment and government operations issues for nearly two decades, made the surprise announcement yesterday he won't seek another term in Congress, and he'll step back from his work as ranking member of the Oversight and Reform Committee. Connolly's been fighting esophageal cancer, and he says it's returned. Joining me with more Federal News Network's Drew Friedman and Jason Miller.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Department's rollout of the Trump administration's deferred resignation program is in full swing, and that does not mean it's been smooth. In fact, some civilian employees are still waiting on their Separation Agreements and approvals, even though the administrative leave period is only two days away. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis brings us the latest to sort this all out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration has shown a great deal of interest in contracting and procurement. In fact, it has four executive orders on the street relating to procurement. Some things seem new, some things we've seen before. An assessment now from the senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, Emily Murphy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My next guest has operated in the federal information technology and services acquisition field longer than I have. But, like me, he's about to retire or at least take a step back from the fulltime grind. Former Pentagon acquisition official and Professional Services Council CEO David Berteau joins me for a final Federal Drive with Tom Temin interview.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Henry Kerner is at the moment a member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, when lots of federal employees wonder whether merit principles have much of a future. He was also special counsel in the Office of Special Counsel and a long time prosecutor and congressional investigator. Henry Kerner joins me now in studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin Looking back on a career of watching out on behalf public integrity The Capitol building looks like it always has. But it has a new architect The Trump agenda driving Congress as members return to WashingtonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Navy plans to focus over the next couple of years on making sure its maritime operations centers can fight at what the Navy calls the speed of relevancy that takes feeding commanders the data and systems to understand what's happening in real time for details. Federal News Network's executive editor Jason Miller spoke to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for information warfare, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Could artificial intelligence be responsible for the next big leak of classified information? Not if the intelligence, Advanced Research Projects activity can help with it. IARPA is exploring what comes next with its AI cybersecurity research. For more, Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Members of Congress, at least on one side, are looking for new ways to counter the Trump administration. For instance, Democratic senators are leaning on the Social Security Administration's inspector general to investigate cuts. More on this and what else is going on from WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

More than any other building, the U.S. Capitol stands as the symbol of the republic. The building itself is just one of many in an historical collection encompassing 18 million square feet of building space over 570 acres. Overseeing it all, the architect of the Capitol. The current architect has held the job for just about a year. Thomas Austin joins me now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.