Read, Watch and Listen Our Government Explained (in 3 Minutes or Less): National Security: A top Government Responsibility National security is a top priority for our government. Many federal agencies and intelligence units work round the clock to keep us, our data and our infrastructure safe from our adversaries. In fact, agencies that protect the U.S. and its security as one of their primary missions account for more than 71% of the civilian workforce. Watch our latest video to learn about the many organizations working to keep our nation secure as the threats to our country continually evolve and change. Watch Blog The government shutdown is now the longest ever—and the public is paying the price On Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, the United States reached a grim milestone: day 36 of the government shutdown, officially making it the longest shutdown in American history. The previous record of 35 days was set during the 2018-2019 shutdown under the first Trump administration. The human cost of this political standoff grows more devastating with each... November 5, 2025 Blog Navigating career transitions as a federal employee Severe cuts to the federal workforce and to federal services, as well the ongoing government shutdown, are forcing civil servants to navigate extraordinary uncertainty and plan career transitions. Below, Nicole Kolt, a senior facilitator and coach at the Partnership for Public Service, offers advice on how federal employees can navigate career shifts as they manage... November 4, 2025 Publication Partnership for Public Service’s submission to request for information on “Regulatory Reform on Artificial Intelligence” On October 24, 2025, the Partnership submitted public comments in response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy’s “Reques... November 3, 2025 Blog Understanding the status of federal employees as the government shutdown continues The government shutdown is affecting the federal workforce in varied and continually evolving ways. While some federal employees continue to be paid from funding not tied to annual appropriations, many are furloughed or working without pay. Moreover, the status of federal employees during a shutdown is not necessarily static, and employees may begin a shutdown... October 30, 2025 Blog Reductions in force during the government shutdown On Oct. 10, 2025, just 10 days into the government shutdown, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced on X that reductions in force were starting, making true on his intention to use a shutdown to further slash the federal workforce. Until now, these reductions, or RIFs, had never been executed during a... October 29, 2025 Blog The impact of the government shutdown on travel, business and benefits A recent survey by the Partnership for Public Service shows that Americans are starting to see the impact of the government shutdown on their communities as it enters its fourth week. The Partnership has been tracking the real-life consequences of the shutdown, and three areas stand out: air travel, business and financing, and public benefits,... October 27, 2025 Blog What federal employees should know about retroactive pay after a government shutdown As we enter week four of the government shutdown, the Partnership for Public Service has been getting questions about retroactive pay for federal employees. Here are some answers to the most common inquiries. Are all federal employees affected by the government shutdown entitled to retroactive pay? The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 was... October 23, 2025 Blog Half of Americans say the federal government shutdown is impacting their community A new, nationally representative survey conducted by the Partnership for Public Service finds the ongoing federal government shutdown is having a widespread impact on the American people and that the public is concerned the country will face greater problems if additional federal workers are fired. Nearly half of the country (48%) say the shutdown is... October 22, 2025 Blog How federal employees build resilience amid uncertainty and career transitions Severe cuts to the federal workforce and to federal services, as well the ongoing government shutdown, are forcing civil servants to navigate extraordinary uncertainty and hastily plan career transitions. Below, David Brownstein, a senior facilitator and executive coach at the Partnership for Public Service, offers advice on how federal employees can stay resilient and mentally... October 21, 2025 Blog President Trump’s firing of inspectors general threatens government accountability and efficiency Inspectors general are one of the central watchdogs of the federal government, identifying and stopping waste, fraud and abuse and saving taxpayers tens of billions of dollars every year. Despite their intended independence and importance for government accountability and efficiency, inspectors general have come under fire during the second Trump administration, with extensive purges and... October 21, 2025
