Monday federal headlines – March 9, 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.

  • Terry Halvorsen is now the Defense Department’s permanent chief information officer. The Pentagon said he assumed the permanent position yesterday. Halvorsen had been the Navy CIO before replacing Terri Takai. She left the Pentagon in May. (Federal News Radio)
  • Federal employees’ pension calculations would change, according to a new bill from Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). The formula calculates the average of employee’s highest five years of pay, instead of the highest three years of pay. The Congressional Budget Office said the change would save about $3 billion over 10 years. (Rep. Bruce Westerman)
  • If you worked without getting paid on time during the 2013 government shutdown, watch your inbox today. The Justice Department is notifying nearly 1 million federal employees they’re eligible to join a lawsuit against the government. It’s unclear what compensation employees may eventually get since everyone was eventually paid. GovExec reports a federal judge back in August ruled the government violated labor laws by requiring employees to work during the shutdown. People who were furloughed are not eligible for the suit. (Gov Exec)
  • CIA Director John Brennan unveiled a plan to rebuild how the agency does business. In a memo to employees, Brennan said the new strategic direction would focus on training, digital innovation and a restructured bureaucracy. Brennan said the changes are driven by fundamental shifts in the national security landscape. Those include more complex and immediate threats, and by the fast pace of technology advancement. Brennan promised to establish a Talent Development Center of Excellence and a Directorate of Digital Innovation. New Mission Centers will bring together operational, analytic and support functions to bear on the main national security challenges. Each new mission center would be led by an assistant director. (CIA)
  • Megan Brennan was sworn in as the first female Postmaster General. She promised to grow the U.S. Postal Service, which has been beset by years of financial deficits. Brennan, a 29-year veteran of the Postal Services, started out as a letter carrier in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Federal Times reports that at her ceremony, Brennan said new technology platforms are key to new business opportunities. She promised more investment in the Postal Service’s technological infrastructure and better use of data in decision-making. (Federal Times)
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has come under fire in Congress. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) re-introduced a bill to abolish the Bureau. He said the agency is scandal-ridden, duplicative and lacking a clear mission. Under the bill, most of the bureau’s responsibilities would be transferred to the FBI. The bill comes after a proposal from the Bureau to prohibit a type of armor-piercing bullet, often used by hunters. Critics called the proposal a “power grab” and violation of the Second Amendment. But the Bureau said its proposed ban would help protect law enforcement officers. (Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner)
  • A group of senators wants to create a national strategy for the “Internet of things.” The phrase refers to a network of connected devices, sensors and objects. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced the resolution, along with Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii). The senators said the government should use the Internet of things to improve efficiency and cut waste, fraud and abuse. The group said the Internet of things can empower consumers and drive economic growth. (Sen. Deb Fischer)
  • The Peace Corps has temporarily suspended its program in Jordan amid growing security concerns. The country has raised its profile against the Islamic State in recent months. The U.S. Embassy in Jordan warned last month of potential attacks at shopping malls in the capital city Amman. Thirty-seven Peace Corps volunteers had been working in Jordan on youth development programs. All of them have left the country. The Peace Corps said it would still maintain its office in Jordan. (Federal News Radio)
  • NASA is getting ready for the fourth annual International Space Apps Challenge. The three-day code-a-thon event happens at 135 different locations from April 10- 12. Participants use more than 200 data sources to create mobile apps, software, hardware and other technology platforms. NASA said the solutions will contribute to space missions and could help improve life on Earth. This year’s challenge includes the first-ever Data Bootcamp. Participants work on their skills with computer coding and data. (NASA)
  • The Transportation Security Administration found something unusual in a checked bag this week — a chihuahua. The agency said the suitcase set off a checked baggage alarm at LaGuardia airport. A TSA officer opened the bag and found the dog inside. The agency said the dog climbed into the bag while the owner was packing her suitcase. The two have been reunited. (TSA)

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