Newsletter: Staying Focused on What You Can Control
I know it’s been an extraordinarily tough few weeks for constituent-facing staff. No matter which side of the aisle you’re on, you’re taking on a lot of tough conversations with people who are scared and frustrated. So I want to start with two things that you can do that are extremely important right now:
Caseworkers have one of the only big-picture, bird’s-eye-views of what’s happening right now.
The speed and scale of reforms to federal agencies are slowing down or hampering agencies’ own data-gathering processes, meaning that data your offices are collecting on who is impacted by what actions is as good a source as any that exists right now, and committees of jurisdiction should be taking advantage of it to monitor the impact of reforms.
I know the House is working on a casework data aggregator project, but in the meantime, I’m happy to connect anyone interested in pooling their anonymized casework data together. Just reply to this email.
When you can’t solve a problem, you can tell a story.
It’s the worst feeling in the world to tell someone there’s nothing you can do to help them. I know. But you can put a human face on how policies impact people, and that’s something few other people are positioned to do with your level of expertise and empathy in this moment. Now is absolutely the time to be talking to your comms team about how to highlight the stories you’re hearing about the impact of reforms in your districts and states, or your boss on how these stories might shape private conversations. Stories move people, and data grounds the stories.
Okay. Beyond that, two things to highlight: first, if you’re getting outreach from whistleblowers in the federal government, you should review the Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds’ resources on how to protect constituents who might fear retaliation, highlighted below.
Second, we are hosting a webinar next Wednesday on Social Security casework, including how to write effective inquiries, and what to expect in the next year. We hope you’ll join us, send the webinar to friends in new offices, and stay tuned for other portfolio-specific webinars coming soon.
If you have questions about our work or suggestions for how we can be helpful, please feel free to reach out by replying to this email, or shoot me a note at anne@popvox.org.
Anne Meeker
Deputy Director
POPVOX Foundation
Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds Resources
A whistleblower is an individual who discloses evidence of wrongdoing. Whistleblowers are protected by civil service laws that protect them from retaliation for bringing forward this type of evidence. This means that Congressional offices must be aware of the legal protections covering whistleblower disclosures, and best practices for keeping brave folks safe. The House Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds provides wonderful resources and trainings for House staff, but also publishes many of their materials online (so Senate staffers, you can benefit too!). In particular, we’ll highlight the District Office Starter Pack and template letters and forms here.
February 12, 1 PM: Social Security Casework with David Camp
Social Security is a big part of every Congressional office’s caseload. In this Casework Navigator webinar with National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives CEO David Camp, we’ll talk about the basics of Social Security casework. Register here and reply to this email to send me your questions!
Social Security with NOSSCR CEO David Camp
Wednesday, February 12 at 1 PM ET
This webinar will include tips for writing an effective inquiry for Social Security casework (including what caseworkers often get wrong!), working with local service providers, and a look ahead at how recent and upcoming SSA reforms might impact your caseload.
Agency News
OPM sends out sample Fork in the Road contracts
The language in sample contracts seems to contradict some initial FAQs on the date through which the employee would be expected to work, and acknowledges that the agencies do not have guaranteed funding past the end of the current CR in March.
Government website + missing form casework coming
We would anticipate that offices will be asked for help tracking down information and forms from government websites that have been taken down in the last week. The NYT has a good roundup, including Census datasets, DOJ hate crime data, IRS forms for private schools, and more.
OPM asked to submit plans for a 70% reduction in staffing
OPM has been asked to submit plans to cut the agency’s staffing by 70%, and to halt work on anything not statutorily directed. Given that OPM has struggled to handle the backlog of federal retirement processing in the past, this may post additional delays around processing retirements and separations, including for federal employees accepting the “Fork in the Road” offer.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent named Acting Director for CFPB
The agency has been ordered to stop all public-facing communications work, and pause any rulemaking, litigation, investigations, and enforcement activities.
Year-plus delay to some WEP/GPO adjustments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) faces a significant hurdle: a potential year-long delay in implementing changes from Congress’ repeal of WEP and GPO. The agency notes that much of this updating must be done manually in SSA systems on a case-by-case basis, and the agency is currently facing a budget shortfall and record-low staffing.
More executive orders expected on the Department of Education
The Washington Post reports that the White House is preparing additional executive orders aimed at “diminishing” the Department of Education. President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, has not yet been confirmed.
DHS Announces New Directives Expanding Immigration Enforcement
Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued two directives rescinding previous restrictions for "sensitive" locations, allowing arrests in areas like schools and churches, and ending broad use of humanitarian parole, turning to case-by-case decisions.
Trump Officials Rescind Biden's Venezuelan TPS Extension
The Trump Administration revoked Biden's 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 600,000 Venezuelans, potentially exposing them to deportation.
Background on ICE daily arrest statistics
Starting on January 23, ICE has been posting updated information about arrests and detainees on X. This thread provides helpful background information on how data like this is tracked.
ICE issues policy change around private bills
ICE issued an internal memo limiting the agency’s ability to issue a stay-of-removal at the request of Congress in the private bill process.
ICE arrest and detention explainer
For new immigration caseworkers, shoutout to my hometown paper for this explanation of what happens to someone after they are arrested by ICE.
Gaza Rafah crossing opens to allow sick and wounded to leave
As the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds, the Rafah border crossing has been reopened to allow limited injured and sick patients to be evacuated with permission from Israeli security services.
Resettlement halted for Afghan immigrants
A freeze on international programs and a pause on refugee resettlement operations impacts Afghans and family members who are in the US immigration process, especially SIV holders or those in the SIV process.
119th Congress Edition: Congressional District Geography Workbook!
Now updated and expanded—the Congressional District Geography Workbook features every airport, school, military base, ZIP code, and more in each US House district. Congressional staff can download it on CRS.gov (Insight IN12489), while Executive branch employees can request a copy from CRS.
OPM expands paid leave program for Federal employees affected by LA wildfires
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has activated its emergency leave transfer program for employees impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The program allows them to receive donated paid leave from colleagues. Affected employees can apply for leave assistance, while those wishing to donate should contact their agencies. Separately, OPM finalized a rule standardizing locality pay maps, set to boost wages for 15,000 Federal Wage System employees by October 1.
Senators Crapo [R, ID] and Wyden [D, OR] release discussion draft of tax administration bill
The Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act would fully implement 40 outstanding recommendations to improve IRS administration and taxpayer experience from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, among other changes to tax administration. The Senate Finance Committee invites comment on the discussion draft; more information in the press release.
Want ideas for fixing casework?
Just a quick flag that our team at POPVOX Foundation published our 119th Congress Transition Memo, with our team’s open recommendations on investing in the Congressional workforce, strengthening the Legislative branch, and — most importantly for this newsletter — strengthening constituent services. Always happy to chat.
And ending on a good note, this is a Very Good Idea
Rep. DeLuzio [D, PA] and PA State Rep Joe McAndrew announced that they would be combining office space to give constituents a one-stop-shop for constituent services at the federal and state level. Chalk one up for efficiency, accessibility, and could someone pitch this to Hollywood for a sitcom, please?
