The acting director of the National Archives and Records Administration will not appear tomorrow before a House subcommittee to explain the possible theft of a hard drive with one terabyte’s worth of sensitive data from the Clinton administration, according to congressional staffers. Lawmakers instead will receive regular updates from the NARA inspector general’s office andRead… Read more »
The Senate passed a measure today that would allow visitors to carry loaded firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, approving a bill that could restore a Bush-era policy rejected by a federal judge in March. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) introduced the bill as an amendment to the credit card reform package, which passed theRead… Read more »
Lawmakers blasted the Department of Homeland Security today for not formalizing the use of protective face masks by employees working along the U.S.-Mexico border during the recent swine flu outbreak, suggesting the department has placed bureaucratic considerations ahead of the health and safety of its own workers. Homeland Security Undersecretary for Management Elaine C. DukeRead… Read more »
The National Park Service has cited six men with illegal possession of park material, off-trail travel and public urination after an incident May 4 at Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The men, all employees of a park concessionaire, left the boardwalk near the geyser and two of the men urinated into or nearRead… Read more »
The Obama administration announced yesterday that it will allow states to use a small fraction of the economic stimulus funding they receive for oversight or auditing purposes, a decision sought by several states facing serious financial hardship amid the economic downturn. The Office of Management and Budget said in a memo posted yesterday afternoon thatRead… Read more »
You know the saying that if you want to get ahead in your job it’s wise to dress like the boss? Federal employees may also want to start exercising like him. As President Obama continues his health care reform efforts today, he’s asked aides to identify the best private-sector employee wellness and prevention practices andRead… Read more »
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) has lifted his hold on the nomination of Craig Fugate to serve as the next FEMA director, ending a holdup criticized by the White House, Senate Democrats and some of Vitter’s Republican colleagues as an unnecessary delay fueled by campaign politics. Vitter held up a full Senate vote on Fugate amidRead… Read more »
President Obama’s nominee to serve as Census director said he would rather resign than permit politics to interfere with the census, according to written responses to questions submitted by lawmakers in advance of his confirmation hearing. Asked about potential political interference, Robert Groves stated that any such outside involvement would cause long-term damage to theRead… Read more »
The U.S. Postal Service ended its second quarter with a $1.9 billion net loss thanks to the national economic contraction and increased use of faster, cheaper alternatives to traditional mail. Despite deep cuts in costs and work hours, the service still expects a $1.5 billion cash shortfall by the end of its fiscal year inRead… Read more »
This week’s “attaboy” goes to Dr. Richard Besser, the acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who stands as the best example to date of the capabilities and professionalism of the nation’s career federal employees. As we reported earlier this week, President Obama has filled only five of 20 nominated positions atRead… Read more »