Friday federal headlines – January 9, 2015

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.

• Fewer senior executives received performance awards in Fiscal Year 2013 than the year before. The Office of Personnel Management said the number of career executives with bonuses was down nearly 13 percent last year. Those bonuses were smaller on average too. The average award was down $523 from fiscal 2012 to 2013. (Gov Exec)
• Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) will be the new chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) will be the new Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairman. (Sen. Isakon/Sen. Johnson)
• Eliminating sexual assault in the Army. Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said that’s a top priority for the incoming sergeant major. Daniel Dailey will replace current Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler, who’s retiring at the end of the month. Chandler has led many efforts related to eliminating sexual assaults in the Army. Odierno said it’s critical that Army soldiers maintain ethics and moral values. Other priorities for the next sergeant major include developing non- commissioned officers of the future and focusing on home station training and readiness. (Army)
• The 114th Congress, in session less than a week, is proving to be a busy beaver. Members have introduced more than 350 pieces of legislation this week. Many, if enacted, would affect federal agency operations. A House bill from Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) would require across-the-board spending cuts this year and in fiscal 2016. She cites the $18 trillion national debt. From Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) comes an intelligence bill. It would require the Director of National Intelligence to report on the number of contractors doing intelligence work. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) re-introduced a measure to curtail agencies’ regulation-writing. (Federal News Radio)
• Lawmakers want to step up efforts against terrorism after an attack in Paris killed 12 people. But they’re concerned about funding for the Homeland Security Department. Appropriations for the agency are set to expire in late February. House Speaker Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) said DHS funding is not at risk and he promised to pass a funding bill in time. Congress in December passed a three- month continuing resolution to fund DHS. The goal was not to prevent a shutdown, but buy more time to respond to President Barack Obama’s immigration action. (Federal Times)
• FBI officials said the bureau is sharing intelligence with French law enforcement agencies. It’s part of an effort to help find the gunmen behind a terrorist attack in Paris that left 12 people dead. The FBI is searching its databases for information about the suspects. The agency doesn’t say specifically what information it’s sharing or analyzing. An FBI spokeswoman told the National Journal, the agency will continuously monitor the situation in Paris, and it’s prepared to offer any assistance that’s requested. (National Journal)
• Echoes from the North Korea and Sony cyber attack incident. Two senior officials told the Associated Press the U.S. government is not responsible for the attacks that crippled North Korea’s Internet infrastructure last month. The Obama administration had been coy about whether it was behind what appeared to be a response to the Sony hack. Assistant Attorney General John Carlin said the government is committed to calling out countries and other parties believed to be behind cyber attacks in the United States. Adm. Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, called for a more forceful response to foreign-based cyber attacks. He spoke at a conference at Fordham University. ( Federal News Radio)
• Idaho is planning to fine the federal government for not removing nuclear waste. The Energy Department missed a deadline to remove 900,000 gallons of radioactive waste at an Idaho nuclear facility. The 50-year-old tanks at the facility don’t meet current standards around hazardous waste. DoE asked for an extension past the Dec. 31 deadline. But Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality rejected that request. Idaho will fine DoE $3,600 per day. The state said it will up the fine to $6,000 a day, if the waste isn’t gone by July 1. (Federal News Radio)
• The White House named a new executive director for first lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move program. Debra Eshmyer will also be senior policy adviser for nutrition policy. She replaces White House chef Sam Kass, who left the position last year. Eshmyer is co-founder of the national service program Food Corps. Members of the program visit schools to teach students about food and nutrition, build school gardens, offer cooking lessons and revamp school lunches. (Federal News Radio)
• The Transportation Security Administration is looking into extra security measures for airport and airline employees. The move comes a few weeks after five people were arrested in a gun-smuggling operation. It used scheduled jet service between Atlanta and New York City. One of the people arrested was a Delta Airlines baggage handler. TSA is considering enhanced screening, random security checks and adding its own personnel to patrol secure areas. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visited Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport for a look-see. (Federal News Radio)
• The Air Force has decided to base two F-35 squadrons in the United Kingdom. Two operational squadrons of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jets will be permanently stationed at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath facility northeast of Cambridge. The new aircraft won’t arrive until 2020; 1,200 U.S personnel will be permanently assigned to the F-35s. Although it’s on British soil, Lakenheath is mainly a U.S. base. It is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing. (DoD)

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