Blog Profile / The Federal Eye
| URL : | http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye | |
|---|---|---|
| Filed Under: | Politics / US Politics | |
| Posts on Regator: | 1691 | |
| Posts / Week: | 15.5 | |
| Archived Since: | April 20, 2011 | |
Blog Post Archive
Dempsey says DoD still uncertain about furloughs
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters Tuesday that Pentagon officials are “doing our best to avoid” furloughs of the Department of Defense’s 800,000 civilian employees, but he said that the department is still uncertain whether the … Continue reading ?
OPM cuts overtime and call-center hours for pension claims
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday announced that it would reduce call-center hours and halt overtime for employees who process federal-retiree pensions as a result of the government-wide spending cuts that took effect last month. The OPM has not … Continue reading ?
Bill would force federal employees onto insurance exchanges
A new Republican proposal would push federal workers off their employer-sponsored health plan and onto the insurance exchanges being established under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Ways and Means … Continue reading ?
USDA expands SNAP access at farmers markets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday announced a $4 million plan to increase the use of federal food credits at farmers markets. The initiative will expand wireless access to qualified retailers that do not already accept payments through the … Continue reading ?
Bill Gates joins administration in promoting open agricultural data
Bill Gates on Monday joined top administration officials in promoting open access to agricultural data as a way to increase global nutrition and food security. The Microsoft co-founder and chairman helped launch a two-day conference with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack … Continue reading ?
Senators urge Obama to help resolve veterans claims backlog
A letter signed by a bipartisan group of 67 senators was sent to the White House Monday urging President Obama to take direct action in resolving the backlog of veterans disability claims. “We need direct and public involvement from you … Continue reading ?
First lady Michelle Obama to unveil vets program
First lady Michelle Obama on Monday will announce the launch of a credentialing program that the White House says will help members of the armed forces leaving military service earn the certification needed for many high-tech jobs in the private … Continue reading ?
Bill would require secondary cockpit barriers to prevent hijackings
A new bipartisan bill in the House would require secondary cockpit barriers in all commercial aircraft to prevent terrorists takeovers when pilots open flight-deck doors. Rep. Michael Fitzpatzrick (R-Pa.), who sponsored the measure, is scheduled to introduce the bill to … Continue reading ?
Budget cuts will force closure of flood-warning gauges, officials say
The U.S. Geological Survey will close more than 100 flood-warning gauges because of the automatic spending cuts that took effect last month for most areas of government, according to an Associated Press report. The closures will affect the agency’s … Continue reading ?
Sequester could hurt federal tax collections, IRS says
The head of the Internal Revenue Service is warning that the government-wide spending cuts that took effect last month could hurt federal tax collections. IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller said during testimony on Thursday before a House Ways and … Continue reading ?
Senators call for investigation of TSA knife policy
Friday was supposed to be the start of a new airport-security policy that would allow travelers to carry small knives on board airplanes. Instead, the Transportation Security Administration this week postponed its rule change indefinitely and two senators called for … Continue reading ?
Should Congress lift abortion ban for Peace Corps volunteers?
Women’s groups, the White House and certain lawmakers are pushing to lift the federal ban on government-funded abortions for Peace Corps volunteers who become pregnant as a result of rape, according to a Washington Post article by Lisa Rein. … Continue reading ?
House Democrats announce package of bills aimed at VA backlog
House Democrats said Thursday they plan to introduce legislation that they say will help the Department of Veterans Affairs deal with its backlog of disability claims. The VA, which faces a backlog of nearly 900,000 claims, announced last week that … Continue reading ?
Threat of sequester furloughs diminishing or gone for some agencies
The Justice Department said Wednesday that it wouldn’t place employees on unpaid leave and two senators proposed bipartisan legislation to stop the controversial air-traffic controller furloughs that started Monday. The developments emerged in the sequester saga, with the threat of … Continue reading ?
Senators propose bipartisan bill to end FAA’s controller furloughs
Two Senators this week proposed legislation that could stop the controversial air-traffic controller furloughs that started Monday. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Wednesday introduced the Dependable Air Service Act, which would authorize the Transportation Department to shift additional funds toward … Continue reading ?
Holder says no furloughs at Justice Department this fiscal year
Attorney General Eric Holder sent notice to Justice Department employees Wednesday night that they will avoid any furloughs this fiscal year, a change of course from earlier warnings that up to 22 unpaid days were on the table. In a … Continue reading ?
EPA employees hit with up to 10 furlough days; less than anticipated
Employees at the Environmental Protection Agency finally have definitive word on the number of furlough days they will be forced to take under the budget cuts known as sequestration. Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe has notified the agency’s 17,000 employees that no … Continue reading ?
Burwell confirmed as next OMB director
By a unanimous 96 to 0 vote, the Senate confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell to be the next director of the Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday. Burwell served as deputy budget director and a top White House aide during … Continue reading ?
Department of Interior going hybrid
The Department of the Interior plans to replace one-third of its gas and alternative-fuel vehicles with hybrids, becoming the first agency to take part in a new federal program that covers additional costs for greening up government auto fleets as … Continue reading ?
IRS issued billions in improper refunds, report says
The Internal Revenue Service issued more than $11 billion in improper payments through its Earned Income Tax Credit program last year, according to an inspector general’s report released this week. Treasury Department deputy inspector general Michael McKenney found that the … Continue reading ?