Federal Manager's Daily Report

President Trump has signed into law (P.L. 115-40) legislation that recently passed Congress clarifying that protections against whistleblower retaliation apply to a federal employee who refuses to obey an order that would require the employee to violate a rule or regulation, not only a law. Sponsors say that has been the understanding of Congress traditionally; however, a court decision last year held that those protections apply only if compliance would require breaking a law.

Also signed (P.L. 115-38) was a bill to require DHS to ensure that components comply with law and guidance regarding fleet management and use of vehicles between home and work; develop a standard vehicle allocation policy; ensure that components document fleet decisions; review their vehicle leases and purchases; collect information on components’ fleets quarterly; track whether fleets are the optimal size and are cost effective; and review fleet management as part of the annual budget process.