User:OpenBook/Sandbox3

The past month continues to be overshadowed by the federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, due to congressional failure to pass a continuing resolution. This has severely impacted web operations, with agencies furloughing staff, pausing content updates, and displaying static shutdown banners on sites. Essential services like Social Security payments and veterans' benefits websites remain active but with limited functionality. Below is an updated summary of the most relevant developments, with hyperlinks to primary sources where available, focusing on digital services, modernization, and guidance for web teams.

Government Shutdown Disrupts Agency Websites and Digital Services

Overview: The shutdown has furloughed over 750,000 federal employees, halting non-essential web updates and transactions across agencies. Sites must display banners about the lapse, and inbound queries are minimized. Full resumption depends on appropriations; as of October 8, no deal is in sight, with the impasse entering its second week.

Specific Impacts:

• DHS has limited web and social media operations, delaying responses and transactions until funding resumes.
• FCC websites warn of unprocessed transactions and outdated information.
• National Park Service sites feature shutdown banners, some politicized, prompting Hatch Act complaints.
• OMB's September 25 memo directed RIF plans for non-priority programs, exempting military and law enforcement, potentially leading to permanent web staff cuts.

Guidance for Web Managers: Maintain "bare-bones" essential info only; use mySocialSecurity for benefit queries to reduce load. OPM advises on backpay post-shutdown.

Links

• NPR: 2025 Government Shutdown Series (October 7 overview of impacts).
• White House: Government Shutdown Clock (real-time tracker and VA extensions).
• CBS News: Shutdown Live Updates (October 7 developments, including aviation delays).
• POLITICO: Shutdown Stalemate (October 6 analysis of negotiations and pay risks).
• Reuters: White House on Layoffs (October 5 on RIF preparations).
• Wikipedia: 2025 U.S. Federal Government Shutdown (timeline and context).
• CNN: Shutdown Updates (October 5) (firings and impacts).
• USA Today: Shutdown Day 6 (October 6 status and services).
• Al Jazeera: Mass Layoffs Threat (October 5 on furloughs).
• CNN: Shutdown Day 4 (October 5 on firings).
• USA Today: Shutdown Day 5 (October 5 operations).
• NYT: Plans to End Shutdown Fail (October 3 votes).
• OPM: Shutdown FAQ (October 1 guidance).
• Rep. Stanton: 2025 Shutdown Info (September 29 prep, including tours).

Federal Website Modernization Initiatives Amid Uncertainty

White House Push for Design Overhaul: Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia leads the National Design Studio to redesign ~26,000 federal sites for better usability, accessibility, and mobile performance. Focus on scalability for services like Social Security.

FedRAMP Modernization Launch: On October 2, FedRAMP updated with enhanced security, risk models, and cloud authorization streamlining—critical for web managers using cloud services. Phase Two pilot submissions open October 16–December 16.

Permitting Dashboard Expansion: White House directs agencies to improve digital permitting tools with public timelines; Salesforce highlights web enhancements for stakeholders.

Links

• CNET: White House Beautifies Websites with Gebbia (August 25, but ongoing; August coverage as latest).
• Reuters: Trump Design Chief Gebbia (August 23 initiative).
• Fox Business: Gebbia Leads Web Overhaul (August 24 EO).
• FedScoop: Gebbia as Chief Design Officer (August 25 role).
• Federal News Network: Trump Taps Gebbia (August 26 details).
• India Today: Gebbia Redesign (August 23 portals).
• Washington Post: Gebbia Improves Sites (August 24 overhaul).
• NYT: Gebbia Skepticism (August 27 influences).
• Parametric Architecture: NDS EO (August 29 studio).
• MeriTalk: Gebbia Chief Officer (design focus).
• FedRAMP: Modernization Overview (ongoing, October intro).
• FedRAMP: FY25 Foundation (September 30 updates).
• Nextgov: FedRAMP 20x Phase 2 (September 24 pilot).
• FedRAMP: 20x Update (May, but Phase 2 October).
• CyberArrow: Phase Two Details (October 6 submission window).
• FedRAMP: One Month In (April, context).
• FedRAMP Blog (latest posts).

Hiring and Operational Reforms Affecting Web Teams

Two-Page Resume Standard: OPM's Merit Hiring Plan limits USAJOBS resumes to two pages effective September 27, with FAQs issued September 2. This streamlines digital role recruitment.

Mass Layoff Preparations: OMB's September 25 memo requires RIF plans for non-priority areas, sparking AFGE lawsuits. Exemptions for core functions; potential permanent cuts to web staff.

OPM Charity Drive Launch: Combined Federal Campaign (October 1–December 31) may be its last; update intranet portals.

Links

• OPM: Two-Page Limit Guidance (implementation).
• OPM: Resume Standard News (September 27 effect).
• OPM: Applicant Guidance (tips).
• FedWeek: OPM FAQ (September 3 details).
• ClearanceJobs: Implementation (September 16).
• Fedagent: Requirement Starts (August 28, September 27).
• Federal News Network: Fitting Qualifications (July, prep).
• GovDelivery: OPM Bulletin (September 24).
• DOD: Resume Guidance (September 30).
• ClearanceJobs: USAJOBS Rule (September 12).
• POLITICO: White House Firings (September 25 memo).
• OPM: RIF Guidance (general, September samples).
• OPM/OMB: RIF Memo (March, but September context).
• NARFE: OMB/OPM Memo (March 4, ongoing).
• OPM: Lapse Instructions (September 30).
• Lawfare: RIFs During Shutdowns (September 29).
• Gilbert: RIF Analysis (March 5).
• GovExec: Mass Layoffs Prep (September 25).
• EPIC: RIF Explainer (September 30).
• FedSmith: RIF Plans (September 25).

Other Notable Digital and Policy Updates

Executive Orders and Guidance: EO 14355 (September 30, published October 7) directs AI use in pediatric cancer research via the MAHA Commission, influencing health web tools. OMB M-25-13 (January, but September analysis) requires financial assistance reviews, affecting grant portals.

Industry Tools for Federal Use: Figma Sites (September 18) adds custom fonts, accessibility, and password protection for compliant prototyping. Framer's Figma import/mode enables direct web publishing for rapid redesigns.

Cyber and Cloud Focus: "Strengthening Cloud Security" event (October 3) covers AI compliance for web infrastructure.

Links

• White House: EO 14355 (September 30).
• White House: Fact Sheet (September 30).
• MSNBC: Cancer EO Fine Print (October 2).
• Reuters: Trump AI Order (September 30).
• Justia: EO 14355 Text (October 7).
• Cancer Letter: Trump Signs Order (October 3).
• Fox News: AI for Cancer (September 30).
• Ballotpedia: EO Summary (September 30).
• HHS: Doubles Funding (September 30).
• Akin: EO Tracker (details).
• OMB: Memoranda (M-25-13).
• White House: M-25-13 PDF (January 27).
• USC: OMB Summary (January 28).
• MA Comptroller: FY Memo (January 29).
• NAFSA: OMB Memo (January).
• OMB Archives: Memoranda (context).
• Heinrich Senate: Instructions (February 7).
• NSDA: Analysis (January 28).
• Presidency Project: Fact Sheet (Q&A).
• Brownstein: Funding Pause (January 28).
• Figma: Release Notes (September 18 updates).
• Figma Forum: Updates (September 24).
• Figma Blog: Config 2025 (Sites launch).
• Releasebot: September Changelogs (summary).
• Surf: 2025 Release (tools).
• Framer Academy: Figma Import (mode).
• WebbyCrown: Framer vs Figma (2025 comparison).
• Gizmodo: Framer Funding (August 28, mode context).
• Figma Plugin: Framer Export (import).
• Figma Help: Frames (related).
• Wikipedia: Web Managers Council (no new October; general).
• IT Law Wiki: Council (overview).
• Digital.gov: Join Web Managers (community).
• Obama Archives: Digital Gov (historical).
• NCBI: Requirements Checklist (checklist).

See also

• 2025 United States federal government shutdown
• Federal Web Managers Council
• FedRAMP

External links

• OPM.gov – Real-time updates
• OMB.gov – Guidance memos
• Digital.gov – Federal Web Managers Council community