The Coverage Gap: Women are Carrying Less Life Insurance Than Their Male Counterparts
According to 2019 consumer study conducted by LIMRA, only 56% of women have life insurance, compared to 62% of men. Moreover, women are likely to carry less coverage than their male counterparts.
OPM Issues Memo Requesting that Feds Assist at Southern Border
On March 25, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued an urgent memorandum for current GS-9 to GS-15 federal employees to volunteer for 120-day details to the southern border. The number of unaccompanied children at the southern border of the United States has increased significantly since the beginning of 2021, causing the Biden administration to request additional support to care for and place the unaccompanied children.
GAO Issues Recommendations to Assess Firearms Trafficking to Mexico
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report covering firearms smuggling from the U.S. into Mexico and issuing recommendations to better understand the problem.
CBP One App Receives Privacy Impact Assessment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Privacy Impact Assessment of CBP One™, a mobile app launched by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that provides the public a single portal to a variety of CBP services. The app is meant to streamline services for travelers, importers, brokers, airlines, and international organizations by asking them a series of questions that determine the correct services, forms, or applications to meet their needs. CBP maintains that the app increases transparency at CBP and streamlines the process for foreign travelers without sacrificing security.
Supreme Court Considering Whether “Community Caretaking” Allows Warrantless Home Entry
The Supreme Court last week heard oral argument on whether the “community caretaking” exception allows law enforcement to enter a home for the purposes of the occupant’s health and safety.
Justice Department Takes Action Against COVID-19 Fraud
A Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated March 26, 2021 announced an update on DOJ’s efforts to combat crimes related to COVID-19 relief fraud, such as illegal schemes surrounding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs.
Introducing the Agile Products Toolkit
The Agile Products Toolkit was created by the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee and will give you oversight tips and help you establish professional standards within your workplace. An agile product uses techniques to streamline processes and helps you produces high quality work quickly. Learn more about how agile products can work for you!
Safeguarding Justice and Serving as the Voice of Assistant U.S. Attorneys
The National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys (NAAUSA) serves as the voice of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) within the Department of Justice and Congress.
Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Law Enforcement Serving Abroad
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act, which would allow individuals who kill or attempt to kill federal law enforcement abroad to be prosecuted in U.S. courts.
FEMA Expands Response to Unaccompanied Children Entering U.S.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to launch an effort to care for unaccompanied children who are entering the United States from the southern border.
Congress Questions Bureau of Prisons on Vaccine Distribution
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has offered the COVID-19 vaccine to its entire workforce, but just 49 percent have accepted a vaccine as of last week. Meanwhile, other agencies are seeing their employees accept vaccines in larger numbers, causing members of Congress to question the Bureau of Prisons’ vaccine rollout plan. For example, as of last month, 72 percent of the Veterans Health Administration workforce had accepted the vaccine.
First North Korean National Extradited to the U.S.
According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated March 22, 2021, Mun Chol Myong, 55, is the first North Korean national to be extradited the United States. Mun was extradited to the United States to face charges of money laundering in order to circumvent U.S. sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Chemical Attack - What You Should Know
Do you know how to protect yourself in case of a chemical attack? Learn some helpful tips from this video about what a chemical attack is and how to prepare and respond.
Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument in Fifth Amendment Suit Challenging Union Organization
On March 22, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument in Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid.
Sunshine Week Hearings and Legislation Promote Government Transparency
Several bills were introduced last week to commemorate Sunshine Week, a national initiative spearheaded by the News Leaders Association to educate the public about the importance of open government.
Federal Circuit: Agencies Must Prove Pre-PIP Unacceptable Performance
Before a federal employee can be terminated for unacceptable performance, the employing agency must provide the employee with an opportunity to demonstrate acceptable performance.
American Rescue Plan Expands Benefits for Federal Workforce
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that expands benefits for the federal workforce and Americans.
Legislation Introduced to Punish Individuals for Targeting Law Enforcement Officers
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and 16 other lawmakers reintroduced the Protect and Serve Act, which would create federal penalties for individuals who target law enforcement officers at the federal, state, and local levels.
Judiciary Seeks New Judgeships and Enhanced Security
The Judicial Conference of the United States—the Judiciary’s policy-making body—recently proposed 79 new judgeships for courts across the country and initiatives to improve both personal security and courtroom security.
Nevada Man Sentenced to Prison for Images of Child Sexual Abuse
According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release dated March 17, 2021, a Nevada man, Eric Blair McCartt, 37, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing images of child sexual abuse of minors under the age of twelve.