Wednesday federal headlines – February 4, 2015

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on Federal News Radio each day. It is designed to give FederalNewsRadio.com reade...

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive and In Depth radio shows each day. Our headlines are updated twice per day — once in the morning and once in the afternoon — with the latest news affecting federal employees and contractors.

  • The Senate is at an impasse on funding for the Homeland Security Department. The Hill reports, Democrats are banding together to block a Republican sponsored bill. It would fund the department after the continuing resolution expires Feb. 27. But it includes language blocking President Barack Obama’s immigration executive order. A similar bill has already passed the House. Senate Democrats are pushing for a so-called clean bill that would let the President’s amnesty program continue unimpeded. Although Homeland Security would technically run out of funding at the end of the month, many of its employees would stay on the job because they’re deemed essential. (The Hill)
  • Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter promised to crack down on Pentagon misspending and cost overruns. In written testimony, he said the Pentagon has to end wasteful practices and gain more trust from the public. Then he said it would be in a better position to ask Congress for higher levels and more stability in funding. He said not every Defense dollar is spent as well as it should be. But he told the Senate Armed Services Committee, the automatic budget cuts under sequestration put national security at risk. Carter appeared live before the committee today. (Federal News Radio )
  • The Army is preparing to destroy the country’s largest remaining stockpiles of chemical-laden artillery shells. Beginning in March, the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado plans to start neutralizing 2,600 tons of mustard agent. This comes as the U.S. takes steps toward complying with a 1997 treaty banning chemical weapons. During the Cold War, the U.S. amassed more than 30,000 tons of chemical weapons. They were never used in war. The Colorado depot has about 780,000 shells containing mustard agent. The Army expects to finish the job in 2019. Almost 90 percent of the country’s stockpile has been eliminated at other depots. (Federal News Radio)
  • Vaccine debates are taking center stage, as lawmakers question federal health officials about this year’s flu vaccine. Experts said this version is only about 23 percent effective. Most year’s flu vaccines are 50 to 60 percent effective. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said this year’s flu shots were already being shipped out when it noticed a different strain circulating. At that point, the CDC said it was too late to supply a different shot. Lawmakers and health officials at the Tuesday hearing also declared their support for vaccinations against measles, which has sickened more than 100 people this year. (Federal News Radio)
  • IRS employees are stumping on Capitol Hill for more funding. More than 300 members of the National Treasury Employees Union are trying to convince lawmakers why more money would improve service to taxpayers. Union president Colleen Kelly wants new members to meet actual federal employees. And she doesn’t want any members of Congress to be able to say they didn’t get all the facts. Kelly herself is trying to secure meetings with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), head of the House subcommittee that oversees the federal workforce, and Sen. Ron Johnson (R- Wis.), the new chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. (Federal News Radio)
  • A new White House cyber unit is aiming to oversee dot-gov network security. The Obama administration plans to spend about $20 million on the E-gov Cyber division. Next Gov reports the unit will be housed within the Office of Management and Budget, and is aimed at cementing OMB’s role in governmentwide cybersecurity. The division will also make sure agencies notify victims of breaches within a certain time frame. (Next Gov )
  • The General Services Administration has three finalists in a contest highlighting federal agency technology innovation. The contest is sponsored by the American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council, or ACT-IAC. Its 2015 Igniting Innovation Showcase and Awards presentations take place tomorrow. It will feature 30 projects. GSA’s finalists are Data.gov, the Building Information Modeling and Central Facilities Repository, and the Digital Analytics Program. (GSA )

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.