Lawmakers looking to save Navy Reserve Center system
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to save the Navy Reserve Center system. They say THE provision in the Senate version of the fiscal 2026 defense policy bill would shutter 107 commands that provide administrative support and serve as home for approximately 48,000 Navy reservists across the country. In a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services committees, the lawmakers said if the Navy has issues with the current force structure, the service should identify those issues, present them to Congress along with their plans to fix them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Federal government gets up and running after record length shutdown
With the shutdown now officially over, the White House isn't waiting to get things back and running. The Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum instructing federal employees who had been furloughed to return to work today, and to take all necessary steps to ensure that offices open in a prompt and orderly manner. The Government Publishing Office even took to X to direct all teammates they should report to their duty stations and contact supervisors with questions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Transgender Air Force and Space Force service members sue the Trump administration
Transgender Air Force and Space Force service members are suing the Trump administration for rescinding pensions that had been previously granted by the Air Force secretary. President Trump issued an executive order in January that banned transgender people from serving in the military. In June, the Air Force approve retirement orders for the Airmen named in the lawsuit, but two months later the service reversed the course, informing Airmen, each with at least 15 years of service, that they would be separated without retirement benefits under the ban. The lawsuit argues that revoking those retirement orders violates Air Force policies and procedures. Transgender service members affected by this will lose an estimated $1 to $2 million over the course of their lifetimes, the lawsuit says. It will also strip them of lifetime access to TRICARE health coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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It’s officially Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits program
Open Season has officially begun. Enrollees in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program have between now and December 8th to make changes to their health plan options. The open enrollment period also applies for Postal Service employees, as well as those with dental and vision coverage. For plan year 2026, federal employees’ health insurance premiums are rising by an average of 12%.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Treasury Department officially suspends Direct File
The Treasury Department is officially suspending Direct File, a free, online tax filing platform the IRS launched last year. The department says it’s exploring alternatives. That includes strengthening its partnership with tax preparation companies through its Free File program. Direct File expanded to 25 states during this year’s filing season and saw higher favorability scores. But Treasury says the program cost too much and didn’t see enough usage to keep scaling it up. It says the IRS spent more than $40 million on Direct File this year. That breaks down to nearly $140 for every return submitted using Direct File. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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