Thursday morning federal headlines - Nov. 8, 2012
Thursday - 11/8/2012, 8:13am EST
The Morning Federal Newscast is a daily compilation of the stories you hear Federal
Drive hosts Tom Temin and Emily Kopp discuss throughout the show each day. The
Newscast is designed to give FederalNewsRadio.com users more information about the
stories you hear on the air.
- President Barack Obama, fresh from
his re-election win, telephoned leaders in Congress. He wants to work out a
legislative agenda for what's left of the year. Obama called House Speaker John
Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch
McConnell and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. A spokesman said Obama
reiterated his commitment to finding bipartisan solutions to reduce the deficit.
(Federal News Radio)
- Now that President Barack Obama has won a second term, speculation begins on
the next foreign-policy
leaders. U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice had been a favorite to succeed Secretary
of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is retiring. But Rice might not get confirmed
by the Senate. Republicans have criticized her for suggesting an angry,
spontaneous mob attacked the Benghazi consulate in September. Obama could make
Rice his National Security Advisor without going to the Senate. The Associated
Press writes other contenders for the top State position include the current
National Security Advisor Tom Donilon or, in a spirit of bipartisanship, former
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel or former GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman.
(Federal News Radio)
- One big department is looking beyond the era of government-supplied computers
for its employees. The Agriculture Department is
laying the groundwork for BYOD, or bring your own device. It may be a generational
thing. Charles McClam, USDA's deputy chief information officer, says some recent
retirements in his shop has given it the opening to look closer at mobile
technologies. He envisions setting a special mobile division to oversee BYOD.
McClam isn't alone. NASA Goddard CIO Adrian Gardner says his BYOD policy will be
modeled after the one at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (Federal News
Radio)
- The government has handed out more than $7 billion to help health care
providers buy electronic records systems. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services figures show the
grants are disbursed throughout the United States. The most money went to
providers in California, Florida and Texas. Together those states received more
than $2 billion. The money was appropriated in the 2009 stimulus bill. Hospitals
and doctors must prove they are using the records systems properly in order to
qualify. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
- The CIA said it likes going to Arab-American festivals and
considered them vital to helping it recruit a diverse workforce. In a press
release, the agency said it regularly sets up booths at festivals in Arizona and
California that attract thousands of families. Officers greeted the public in
Arabic, Armenian, Punjabi and Urdu. They also gave talks about the myths and
realities of the CIA. The Los-Angeles Times reported last year the agency withdrew
staff from an Arab-American festival amid controversy over its founder's relations
with the Syrian government of Bashar Assad. (CIA)
- FEMA said it was ready to deploy more resources to the Northeast in light of a new storm. The agency already had more than 5,100 people working in areas hard-hit by last week's Hurricane Sandy. With a new coastal storm predicted to last until later today, FEMA said its senior-level experts are standing by. They're working alongside New York and New Jersey emergency managers to ensure clear lines of communication. The agency has brought additional food, water, blankets and generators to distribution points. Meanwhile, tt has increased the amount of rental aid by a quarter. That helps storm survivors pay for shelter and some utilities. (FEMA)
