Congressional Spotlight 
Top News
- OMB reworking financial systems to focus on outcomes, not inputs
- Lew taps government retiree pension fund to avoid default
- OMB taps VanRoekel to lead management team
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- Hagel: Accountability breakdown was leading factor in sexual assaults
- Former IRS commissioner faces questions about Tea Party
- SBA starting new lending program for veterans
- New Apple devices cleared to join DoD IT networks
- Army prioritizes access to data in fight over intelligence IT system
- DoD upends slow approval process for mobile devices
- Senior execs' bonuses under fire at agencies
- Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
- Tuesday federal headlines - May 21, 2013
Reid: Democrats to ease cuts with war savings
Reid: Senate Democrats to ease sequester cuts with war savings
Congress makes it harder for DoD to cut costs
Idle aircraft and pricey ship deployments underscore the contradictions and conflicts as Congress orders the Pentagon to slash $487 billion in spending over the next 10 years and another $41 billion in the next six months.
Does GS system need an update? Lawmakers ask GAO to review federal pay scale
A trio of lawmakers from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee want the Government Accountability Office to examine whether the General Schedule system for federal employees needs an update. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), said the watchdog agency's review would aid the lawmakers in evaluating "the appropriateness of the General Schedule (GS) as a pay scale for today's workforce."
Donahoe: Postal Service bailout looms if Congress doesn't act quickly
If Congress doesn't pass comprehensive postal reform legislation soon, it could find itself forced to bail out the financially troubled U.S. Postal Service to the tune of billions of dollars, said Postmaster General Pat Donahoe. The postmaster general said in a speech at the National Press Club he's optimistic Congress will pass postal reform legislation this year.
Simpson and Bowles offer modified budget plan
Fiscal commission leaders Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles introduce a modified budget plan
House passes pro-business cybersecurity bill
Pro-business cybersecurity bill sails through House again, but without clear path ahead
Military groups fight to stop DoD budget proposal
Advocacy organizations are criticizing the Pentagon's proposed fee increase for TRICARE as unfair and discriminatory.
The 2014 budget and "Pay for Delay"
On this week's Capital Impact show, Bloomberg Government analysts discuss President Obama's 2014 budget proposal, and patent litigation settlements involving pharmaceutical companies.
April 18, 2013
Labor nominee Perez pledges open mind
Labor nominee Perez pledges open mind, willingness to work with business, labor to create jobs
Sequestration already taking toll on DoD's research and development
Defense agencies and services are pulling back hundreds of millions of dollars worth of grants and contracts. Impending furloughs will further impair DoD's ability to get money out the door.
Report: US footing greater bill for overseas bases
Report: US paying more for overseas bases in Germany, Japan, South Korea despite troop shifts
Postal Service's 'broken business model' under fire but solutions scarce
Postmaster General Pat Donahoe told the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday that the Postal Service is operating under a "broken business model." But cost-saving efforts, such as ending Saturday delivery and modifying a multibillion dollar requirement to prefund future retirees health care costs, garnered little agreement among lawmakers.
Chained CPI, TSP, and the 2014 budget
Financial Planner Art Stein and Federal Times Senior Staff Writer Stephen Losey join host Mike Causey to talk about a number of issues affecting federal workers.
April 17, 2013
Secret Service: Suspicious letter mailed to Obama
Secret Service says suspicious letter mailed to Obama, intercepted away from White House
Police said to have suspect in mind in ricin case
Senator: Police have suspect in mind in mailing to Miss senator that tests positive for ricin
House approves FISMA modernization bill, two other cyber bills
An update to the Federal Information Security Management Act and the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 passed through the House Tuesday night. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Protection Act also passed, but faces a veto threat because of concerns over data protection.
Obama: Boston culprits to feel 'weight of justice'
Obama says Boston culprits will 'feel weight of justice;' officials call explosions terrorism
2014 budget takes center stage on Capitol Hill
With the release of the White House's 2014 budget proposal last week, budget season on Capitol Hill is in full swing. But while Congress will be debating the merits of the President's budget plan via a flurry of congressional hearings this week, the permanent director's chair at the Office of Management and Budget remains vacant.
GOP lawmakers blast Labor secretary nominee
GOP lawmakers blast Labor nominee over deal he brokered as top Justice official
Congress repeals STOCK Act reporting requirements for senior execs
Congress approved a bill Friday to eliminate expanded financial-disclosure reporting requirements for Senior Executive Service members, just days before the new requirements were to go into effect. Both the House and Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent. The expanded reporting requirements were set to go into effect Monday.
