The IRS has retracted its previous assurance that furloughed federal employees would receive guaranteed back pay after a government shutdown, deferring to the OMB which suggests that Congress must explicitly approve back pay in legislation, leading to confusion and bipartisan pushback.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Vought, a key author of the conservative Project 2025 blueprint, previously served as Trump's budget director, where he was known for his deregulation efforts. Despite Trump's campaign distancing from Project 2025, Vought's involvement highlights his influence in shaping Republican policy. Vought also founded the Center for Renewing America and played a significant role in rewriting the GOP's platform.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget, a role Vought previously held during Trump's first term. Vought is also known for his involvement in Project 2025.
The 2030 US Census will introduce new checkboxes for Hispanic and Middle Eastern or North African individuals, marking the first change in race and ethnicity categories in 27 years. This comes after years of criticism for leaving out major racial and ethnic groups. The revisions aim to create more accurate federal data on race and ethnicity, combining separate questions into one and adding a new category for Middle Eastern and North African people. All federal demographic collection will reflect the new standards within five years, and a new task force will regularly review data collection for future changes.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will begin the process of preparing for a potential government shutdown as the House and Senate remain far apart on a spending deal. OMB will release shutdown guidance to federal agencies, reminding them to review and update their shutdown plans. Each agency has its own set of plans, including determining which employees would be furloughed and which would work without pay. The government has experienced shutdowns in the past, including a record 35-day shutdown in 2018-2019 over funding for President Trump's border wall.