Attorneys for Federal Employees — Nationwide

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Today at a Glance

• Shutdown risk is rising: DHS funding fight could trigger furlough and duty-status chaos by the end of the week.

• SSA data access is under the microscope: Senators want answers after disclosures about improper sharing and unclear access logs.

• Union power and your day-to-day rights: A national look at how bargaining strength affects working conditions and dispute options.

Top Stories:

1. Shutdown Risk: DHS Funding Fight Could Push a Partial Shutdown

Source: Government Executive — January 27, 2026

TL;DR: Congress is nearing a funding deadline, and disagreements over DHS funding and restrictions are making a partial shutdown more likely. The timing and final Senate action are still uncertain.

For federal employees, this means:

• You should prepare now for agency instructions on furlough vs. excepted status, timekeeping, and what work must stop if funding lapses.
• Do not rely on rumors—follow your agency’s official guidance and save it.
• If you are told to work, track your hours and keep written instructions.

Legal Insight:
Shutdown rules come from appropriations law and OPM furlough guidance, but your agency controls the day-to-day directions. If you receive a furlough notice, save it, confirm your status, and follow timekeeping instructions exactly. If instructions conflict, ask for clarification in writing and keep the record. Because deadlines can be short and mistakes can affect pay and discipline issues, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney.

2. Senators Demand Details on DOGE Data Access After SSA Data was Improperly Shared

Source: Government Executive — January 27, 2026

TL;DR: Senate Finance leaders demanded urgent answers from SSA after a court filing suggested SSA still does not know the full extent of what SSA data DOGE personnel accessed and shared, including use of an unapproved third-party server and unclear tracking of what was shared.

For federal employees, this means:

• Expect tighter controls on data access, file sharing, and “quick workarounds,” especially around sensitive records.
• Agencies may increase auditing and may investigate how data was accessed or moved.
• If you handle sensitive data, assume rules will get stricter fast—follow approved tools and approvals.

Legal Insight:
Handling federal data is not just an IT issue—it can become a workplace investigation quickly if someone bypasses policy. Keep your access requests and approvals in writing, and avoid personal or unapproved systems for storing or sharing files. If you are asked to do something that feels like a policy shortcut, ask for the instruction in writing and elevate concerns through the proper chain (security office, supervisor, or other approved channel). Because discipline timelines can move quickly once an inquiry starts, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney.

3. What the Fight Over Federal Unions Means for Your Daily Working Conditions

Source: New York Times Magazine — January 27, 2026

TL;DR: The article describes how federal unions and collective bargaining shape day-to-day worker protections, and how policy changes can weaken or strengthen union influence over working conditions.

For federal employees, this means:

• You should treat union-related rights as “live” rules that can change, especially when leadership or policy shifts.
• Keep a current copy of your collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and any local MOUs.
• If your agency says a topic is “not grievable” or “not bargainable,” ask for that position in writing and preserve the documents—forum and deadline questions can decide outcomes.

Legal Insight:
Many federal workplace disputes turn on process: what your contract says, what policy says, and what deadlines apply. If a change affects telework, schedules, performance expectations, or discipline procedures, document when you were notified and what changed. If you’re not sure whether you should file a grievance, EEO claim, MSPB appeal, or OSC disclosure, do not wait—deadlines can run while people argue about the right forum. Because deadlines can be short, consider talking with your union and a qualified federal employment attorney.

Legal Tip of the Day

Security Clearance Concerns: Don’t Guess

If you hold a clearance or sensitive position, small issues—financial problems, foreign contacts, arrests, or undisclosed conduct—can grow if handled poorly. Don’t “fix” the problem by omitting information or guessing on forms or during interviews. Instead, gather accurate records and answer clearly and honestly. If you receive a notice about a clearance review or are asked to respond to concerning issues, treat it as serious as any discipline proposal. Because clearance matters are high stakes and highly technical, our office, which represents federal employees facing clearance risk, can help you approach them strategically from the start. 

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