The back-and-forth between the FAA and National Weather Service hit turbulence today, when a government expert suggested any changes in the way the two agencies work together will not fly unless they sort out several outstanding details. You’ll recall that the Weather Service submitted recommendations last month on how to change the FAA’s use ofRead… Read more »
The number of government contracts awarded to Alaska Native Corporations skyrocketed 1,386 percent between 2000 and 2008, according to a new federal audit, even though they account for only a small portion of companies participating in a Small Business Administration program designed for small, minority-owned businesses. The latest audit mirrors similar investigations by the SenateRead… Read more »
The release last week of a jaw-dropping report on security at federal buildings has prompted little public comment from federal authorities, but congressional sources and other observers expect plenty of activity in the coming months to address concerns about the Federal Protective Service. As last week’s GAO findings revealed, government investigators successfully entered 10 high-securityRead… Read more »
Later today the Senate is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Robert Groves to serve as the next director of the U.S. Census Bureau following more than a month of objections from Republican lawmakers. Debate on the Groves nomination begins around 4:30 p.m., with a vote slated to start an hour later, according toRead… Read more »
“The Dean” David Broder wrote earlier this week about the recent death of former defense secretary Robert McNamara and Sarah Palin’s surprise resignation. He uses both departures to discuss when public officials should hang it up and leave, concluding that neither McNamara or Palin serve as good examples. Writes David: It was not until 1995,Read… Read more »
Happy Thursday! House lawmakers begin consideration of a bill today that gives Transportation Security Administration employees the same collective bargaining rights and whistleblower protections enjoyed by most other federal employees. The House Homeland Security Committee today will consider the Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009, introduced earlier this year by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.).Read… Read more »
Happy Wednesday! It appears that a good chunk of economic stimulus funding is going right into the nation’s roads, according to a GAO update set for release today about the massive government spending project. The Congressional auditing agency must deliver a bi-monthly stimulus progress report and is tracking the 16 largest states and the DistrictRead… Read more »
By Jane Black and Ed O’Keefe Updated 4:11 p.m. ET The Obama Administration today took a first step towards overhauling food safety regulations that have been blamed for a steady stream of food safety outbreaks and product recalls. The new proposals, recommended by a working group President Obama created in March, emphasize prevention, enforcement andRead… Read more »
Documents delivered to lawmakers this week expose a frequently confrontational and petty relationship over the past several years between officials at the Corporation for National and Community Service and the group’s inspector general, Gerald Walpin. President Obama fired the Bush appointee last month, citing a lack of confidence. Lawmakers almost immediately raised concerns with theRead… Read more »
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has tapped three Census Bureau veterans to serve as part-time advisers on operational, management and contracting issues while President Obama’s nominee to serve as Census director awaits a full Senate confirmation vote. The trio includes Dr. Kenneth Prewitt, who served as bureau director from 1998 to 2001 and was widely believedRead… Read more »