Happy Wednesday! A contractor industry group has warned that the Department of Homeland Security should closely study the size and scope of its contracting jobs before it “insources” positions to the federal payroll. DHS officials are reviewing its mix of private and public-sector workers after announcing last month that the department employs at least 12,000Read… Read more »
Happy Tuesday! Private companies and philanthropic foundations use contests and prizes all the time to solicit new business ideas or product ideas, and now the government wants in on the action. The Obama administration on Monday released new guidance on how federal agencies can use contests and prizes to encourage more participation from federal workersRead… Read more »
House lawmakers will turn their focus next week to federal building security in the wake of the recent Pentagon shooting and other attacks on federal facilities across the country. The hearing comes as union leaders have suggested that Washington isn’t seriously addressing recent attacks that have killed or injured federal workers. Government Accountability Office investigatorsRead… Read more »
Happy Monday! President Obama will head to Florida next month to host a conference on the future of American space exploration and defend his plans to revamp the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The president wants to give NASA an extra $6 billion over the next five years and abandon plans to return to theRead… Read more »
Happy Friday! Last night’s shooting at the main entrance of the Pentagon is the fourth attack or security scare at a federal facility this year. A gunman opened fire and shot two police officers at the main entrance to the nation’s largest federal building on Thursday night. John Patrick Bedell, 36, calmly pulled a gunRead… Read more »
A second child communicated with passenger jets at John F. Kennedy International Airport in mid-February, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Thursday morning. The same controller brought another child into the tower the day after his son communicated with at least five planes as they taxied at JFK Airport, the agency said. Officials could not confirmRead… Read more »
Happy Thursday! Senate Democrats are taking steps that could eventually lead to a vote on repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy against the wishes of Pentagon leaders and Republican lawmakers who want the military to finish a review of the policy before a vote. On Tuesday Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) unveiled aRead… Read more »
An Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller and supervisor were placed on administrative leave on Wednesday after allowing a young child to direct flights at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Feb. 17. “This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA’s own policies, but common sense standards for professional conduct,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt saidRead… Read more »
Three former directors of the nation’s border patrol agency have called on senators to quickly confirm a new leader for Customs and Border Protection, arguing lawmakers have delayed action on a critical national security pick for too long. President Obama nominated Alan D. Bersin to serve as CBP commissioner in September. He currently serves asRead… Read more »
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.), who campaigned on the idea of freezing federal worker salaries to control the deficit, may get to explore the topic further soon. Senate Republicans announced on Tuesday that Brown will join the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, and also the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees. The Homeland Security andRead… Read more »