The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton provides expert insights on current events in the federal community. Read more interviews to keep up with daily news and analysis that affect the federal workforce. The Federal Drive is found at FederalNewsNetwork.com and 1500 AM in the Washington D.C. region.
Trump administration to let agencies promote federal employees more quickly
Agencies will soon get leeway to promote federal employees more quickly. That’s after the Office of Personnel Management published a final rule eliminating a longstanding “time in grade” requirement. Starting in January, employees will no longer have to serve in their current paygrade for a year before becoming eligible for a promotion. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman discussed the changes in an exclusive interview with OPM Director Scott Kupor.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Senate lawmakers press Pentagon for greater price transparency
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pressing the Pentagon to explain how it will obtain cost and pricing data from defense contractors, including for contracts below a $10 million threshold. The lawmakers say recent changes could limit the department’s ability to negotiate fair prices. 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.
A recent Justice Department settlement sends a clear message to contractors: cybersecurity liability doesn't necessarily start with a breach
Many contractors assume cybersecurity enforcement begins after sensitive information is compromised. A recent settlement suggests the government may be focused just as much on whether contractors accurately represent their compliance in the first place. Here to explain what that means is Michael Volkov, CEO of The Volkov Law Group.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal employees nearing retirement often get conflicting advice about what to do with their TSP accounts. Before making a rollover decision, it's worth knowing which factors actually matter
For many federal employees, the biggest retirement decision isn't when to retire. It's what to do with the money they've accumulated in the Thrift Savings Plan. To walk through the tradeoffs between staying in the TSP and moving to an IRA, I'm joined by certified financial planner Thiago Glieger of RMG Advisors.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A court has temporarily halted plans affecting the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
A court has temporarily stopped efforts to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. For Congressman Glenn Ivey, the dispute raises broader questions about congressional priorities, agency actions, and preserving the expertise government depends on to carry out its mission. He 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.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Friday, October 23, 2026
Coming up on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
A recent Justice Department settlement sends a clear message to contractors: cybersecurity liability doesn't necessarily start with a breach A court has temporarily halted plans affecting the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Congressman Glenn Ivey says the real issue is whether government is losing expertise and capabilities that can't easily be rebuilt Federal employees nearing retirement often get conflicting advice about what to do with their TSP accounts. Before making a rollover decision, it's worth knowing which factors actually matterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...
DISA faces another protest over Enclave contract expansion
The Defense Information Systems Agency’s decision to expand the scope of the Defense Enclave Services contract is being challenged again. 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.
FAA AI use sparks new reviews into AI safety, workforce shortages
The Federal Aviation Administration 's use of artificial intelligence is coming under fire from its inspector general and Capitol Hill. The scrutiny comes as the agency is also struggling with a staffing shortage. Federal News Network reporter Silvia Oakland joins me to talk more about why members of Congress are expressing their concern.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's hard to know whether research investments are paying off if the systems used to measure results keep changing
Federal policymakers rely on data to understand whether research funding is producing discoveries, technologies, and other public benefits. But many of the databases, surveys, and measurement systems used to track those outcomes are evolving themselves, making it harder to compare results over time. Joining me for this month's Data Dish are Denice Ross, Director of the Data Policy Institute at the Federation of American Scientists, and Christopher Marcum, Senior Advisor for Federal Data Policy.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Federal employees are protected if they refuse an illegal order. Most of them may not know it
The Follow the Rules Act, signed by President Trump in 2017, prohibits federal agencies from firing, demoting, or punishing employees who refuse to carry out orders that violate the law. The authors of a recent Brookings commentary argue that many federal workers remain unaware of those protections and the obligations that come with them. Joining me are the authors, and long-time civil servants, Sean O'Keefe and Josh Gotbaum.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Thursday, October 22, 2026
Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
Federal employees are protected if they refuse an illegal order. Most of them may not know it It's hard to know whether research investments are paying off if the systems used to measure results keep changingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A record number of companies are reporting insider cybersecurity threats
The Defense Cyber Crime Center is seeing a record number of companies reporting insider threats. The FBI warned last week about North Korean schemes to fund its regime through remote IT work for U.S. companies. These are just two recent examples of the growing threats contractors and federal employees are facing from foreign countries. For more on why these insider threats are increasing and what agencies can do about it, Federal News Network’s Jason Miller joins me now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...
DoD looks to AI to speed up hiring for civilian jobs
The Pentagon wants to speed up hiring for civilian jobs, saying long delays can hurt military readiness. Defense official Michael Cogar recently gave an update on the changes they've made to hiring rules, and how DoD is using artificial intelligence to help fill jobs faster. Federal News Network’s Rachel Cohen listened to the speech. She joins me now to explain what the Pentagon is doing.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Early in the Trump administration, agencies issued stop-work orders to their contractors. CFPB issued them to its own staff
At the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the early workforce reductions drew most of the attention. A new inspector general review finds some of the longest-lasting effects came from internal stop-work orders and contract actions that disrupted the bureau's operations and contract support. Joining me with the findings are Terese Blanchard and Michael Zeitler, managers in the Office of Inspector General for the Federal Reserve Board and CFPB.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good management starts with good data, and GAO says the federal judiciary is making space decisions without an important measure of how its space is being used
The federal judiciary has policies intended to control costs and manage its real estate footprint. But a new GAO review found it does not routinely collect utilization data for its administrative space, raising a basic management question: how do you know what space you need if you don't know how much of your existing space is being used? Joining me now is David Marroni, director of physical infrastructure at the Government Accountability Office.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A national missile shield may be worth pursuing, but the laws of physics still have a vote in what the US can realistically buy and build
The Trump administration's Golden Dome proposal has sparked visions of a nationwide shield against missile attack. But building an effective defense is as much a question of physics and affordability as technology. A new analysis argues the challenge is separating achievable defenses from concepts that become prohibitively expensive once they collide with real-world physics. Joining me now is Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Coming up today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
A national missile shield may be worth pursuing, but the laws of physics still have a vote in what the United States can realistically buy and build Early in the Trump administration, agencies issued stop-work orders to their contractors. CFPB issued them to its own staff Good management starts with good data, and GAO says the federal judiciary is making space decisions without an important measure of how its space is being usedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https...
The Energy Department’s lead cyber and energy security office has a new five-year strategic plan
The Energy Department’s lead cyber and energy security office has a new five-year strategic plan to improve resilience across electricity, oil and gas infrastructure. The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, or CESER, released that plan in March. It has three major goals. Andrew McClure is CESER's director. He talked about them with Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday during our Cyber Leaders Exchange.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Governmentwide cyber exercise to test resilience against AI cyber attack
Cyber attacks using artificial intelligence increased by 89% in 2025 as compared to 2024. And this year the use of AI in cyber attacks is only increasing. This is why the Federal Chief Information Security Officer’s Council is bringing agencies together in early November to prepare for an ever-challenging cyber threat environment. For more on what the Federal CISO Council is doing, Federal News Network executive editor Jason Miller 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.
The next Congress may face a simple question: Is oversight something lawmakers talk about, or something they do?
Contract requirements and inspectors general are only part of the federal oversight system. Congress is supposed to provide another layer of accountability. With the midterm elections approaching and control of the House potentially at stake, questions about oversight are receiving renewed attention. But effective oversight involves more than hearings and investigations. Here with a look at what Congress does well, and where it falls short, is Tim Stretton, director of the Congressional Oversight Initiative at the Project On Government Oversight.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy...
Government is about to start enforcing a new set of rules for buying AI
One of government's newest oversight tools isn't an audit or an investigation. It's a contract clause. The latest version of GSA's artificial intelligence acquisition requirements took effect Monday after months of revisions and industry pushback. We'll talk about what changed, what didn't, and what the final version says about government's ability to manage rapidly evolving technology with Emily Murphy, Senior Fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Where the EPA IG chooses to look often tells you where the risks are growing
The EPA inspector general's office has mapped out its oversight priorities for fiscal 2027, from financial accountability to program performance. As more federal dollars move through grants, cooperative agreements, and other funding channels, identifying where risk is building before money is wasted or programs fall short is becoming more complicated. We get a look at where auditors and investigators will focus their attention from the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General, Nicole Murley.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
Where the EPA IG chooses to look often tells you where the risks are growing Government is about to start enforcing a new set of rules for buying AI that try to provide enough oversight without slowing innovation The next Congress may face a simple question: Is oversight something lawmakers talk about, or something they do?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Trump administration quietly hiring political appointees
The Trump administration has been quietly hiring political appointees under a new employment category. Agencies have made at least 25 Schedule G appointments, with the earliest recruit dating back to last August. But there’s been limited transparency and … until just recently… virtually no public information about who’s serving in those roles. Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman gets more from the author of new analysis on Schedule G, at the Partnership for Public Service, Chris Piper.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
PCS organization will soon become a standalone agency
The Defense Department will soon turn its organization dedicated to helping service members, civilian employees and their families navigate permanent change of station moves into a permanent agency. 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.
Congress controls the purse strings and writes the sanctions laws. Two major headlines this week put both responsibilities in the spotlight
Questions about defense funding and Russia sanctions are drawing renewed attention to Congress's role in national security policy. Lawmakers still face unresolved decisions on the Pentagon's funding priorities, while some members are also challenging how the administration is implementing a recently enacted sanctions law. Mitchell Miller, capitol hill correspondent for WTOP, is here with an update from Capitol Hill.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Army is borrowing techniques from venture capital to move promising technologies from ideas to capabilities soldiers can actually use
Innovation--it's what everyone seems to want yet it also seems hard to get. The Army created FUZE to help move promising technologies from concept to fielded capability while keeping readiness at the center of the process.
Not every technology succeeds, and the Army can't afford to pursue every promising idea indefinitely. Army FUZE is built around making difficult decisions about scaling winners and walking away from efforts that aren't delivering results.
I caught up with Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army FUZE, at AUSA last week to hear how it's going.
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Congress may be getting exactly the behavior its election system rewards
Only about 15% of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, but Kevin Kosar of the American Enterprise Institute says the problem may run deeper than polarization. His latest research examines whether the incentives built into campaigns and elections are pushing lawmakers away from governing and toward perpetual reelection mode. He joins me now for a discussion of his findings.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Monday, October 19, 2026
Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
The Army is borrowing techniques from venture capital to move promising technologies from ideas to capabilities soldiers can actually use Congress may be getting exactly the behavior its election system rewards Congress controls the purse strings and writes the sanctions laws. Two major headlines this week put both responsibilities in the spotlightSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After AUSA, the Army moves out on the vision presented to its soldiers
Another AUSA is in the books. After three days of nonstop keynotes, panels, roundtables and networking, it's time for the Army to move out on the vision it presented to soldiers. Federal News Network's Rachel Cohen joins me now to talk about the week's big takeaways.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI decision-support systems are often seen as just battlefield tools, but they are so much more
Military coalitions often struggle not because allies disagree on the mission, but because they operate under different rules for sharing information and deploying forces. New research suggests artificial intelligence may help commanders navigate those differences more effectively. Here with more is Sophie Mayo from the Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The people who inherit the nation's debt are getting an early look at the choices required to address it
The national debt is often discussed as a long-term problem, but the people making future policy decisions are already in college classrooms today. An expanded leadership network is teaching students how fiscal policy works, what tradeoffs shape federal budgets, and how to participate in the debate over debt reduction. We learn more from Myra Sung, vice president of programs at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Investors often look to past election cycles for clues about market performance, maybe not this year
With the midterm elections just a few weeks away, investors are once again hearing familiar arguments about how markets typically behave before and after Election Day. But 2026 has already produced strong market gains despite higher energy costs, elevated interest rates and continued price pressures. Here to discuss what may matter more than the election itself is Art Stein, partner with Allworth Financial.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Friday, October 16, 2026
Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
The people who inherit the nation's debt are getting an early look at the choices required to address it AI decision-support systems are often seen as battlefield tools. New research suggests they may be just as important for helping military coalitions work together Investors often look to past election cycles for clues about market performance, but this year's economy may be testing how useful those historical patterns really areSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Navy looks to become more agile, with less focus on compliance
The Navy is trying to become more agile and less focused on compliance, but that kind of change doesn't happen without support from the top. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis spoke with Lauren Nelson of Forrester and Navy Chief Technology Officer Justin Fannelli about the role senior leaders played in that transformation and what other organizations can learn from it.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
BOP re-terminates union contract, days after being ordered to restore it
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has, for a second time, terminated its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees. That decision comes just days after a federal judge ordered AFGE’s contract to be restored immediately. The BOP is also facing accusations that it’s been ignoring the judge’s order. Here with the latest, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Confidence doesn't come from having all the information. It comes from knowing what information matters
Every organization wants more information. The organizations that perform best focus on a different challenge: knowing what information they can trust when it's time to act. Here to discuss how that works is Katie Selbe, chief executive officer of GRVTY. in the latest segment of Contractors to Watch, sponsored by JP Morgan.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new Buy America ruling says waiver decisions must be based on today's manufacturing capacity, not tomorrow's
The administration's push for more domestic manufacturing and the proposed FAR overhaul both put greater focus on Buy America requirements. A recent court decision clarifies that when agencies consider a waiver, they must evaluate the manufacturing capacity that exists now rather than capacity that may develop in the future. Joining me now is Dan Ramish, partner at Haynes Boone.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Treasury wants companies thinking about national-security risk long before a foreign investment deal reaches the government's review process
Treasury is offering investors earlier guidance and a clearer picture of what draws scrutiny in foreign investment reviews. The goal is to identify problems before they become delays. Here to walk us through the new features of the CFIUS web portal is Chris Pilkerton, Assistant Secretary for Investment Security at the Treasury Department.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton - - Thursday, October 15, 2026
Today on The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton
Treasury wants companies thinking about national-security risk long before a foreign investment deal reaches the government's review processA new Buy America ruling says waiver decisions must be based on today's manufacturing capacity, not tomorrow's Confidence doesn't come from having all the information. It comes from knowing what information mattersSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
