Monday - Friday, 3-7 p.m.

Francis Rose keeps you updated on all the federal news happening during your workday. Don't leave the office without seeing what's on the show.

Pay freeze bill heading for House vote

The House Rules Committee voted to fast-track legislation extending the pay freeze for federal employees through the end of the fiscal year. Federal workers are now slated to get a 0.5 percent pay increase in March when a stopgap continuing resolution expired. However, the measure approved by the House Rules Committee, introduced by Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), would block that increase.

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In Depth interviews - Feb. 13

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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USPS makes case for ending Saturday delivery as postal reform push continues

The U.S. Postal Service's worsening financial situation led Postmaster General Pat Donahoe to announce last week the agency would end Saturday mail delivery beginning in August. But lawmakers on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee were divided over Donahoe's announcement. The postmaster general told the committee during a hearing Wednesday the decision was necessary to save $2 billion a year and to begin shoring up the service's funding shortfalls.

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White House issues cyber order, giving NIST, DHS lead roles

Senior administration officials say the Executive Order is not a replacement for comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, but the start of a new conversation for how best to protect the nation's critical infrastructure. NIST released an RFI Tuesday as part of its effort to create a voluntary, flexible framework. And DHS will expand the number of companies the government shares classified and unclassified cyber threat information with through the Defense Industrial Base pilot.

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Obama calls on Congress to stop sequestration, pass cyber bill

President Obama used his State of the Union speech Tuesday night to reiterate common management themes that have been part of the administration's push over the last four years.

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In Depth interviews - Feb. 12

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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Top officers issue urgent warning over budget cuts

US military's top leaders says looming spending cuts may leave troops unprepared for combat

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Are contractors exaggerating sequestration impact?

As sequestration draws nearer, contractor groups have pointed to alarming studies that show the 9 percent in across-the-board Defense cuts would throw at least 1 million people out of work and potentially cripple the defense and aerospace industries. But in a new report, the Center for International Policy, a nonprofit group which advocates reducing military spending, presented evidence that far fewer defense-sector jobs would be lost than industry has claimed and that defense companies would likely be able to absorb the defense cuts.

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Military benefits extended to same-sex partners

Pentagon extends benefits to same-sex partners of service members; not healthcare, housing

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In Depth interviews - Feb. 11

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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Senate Democrats craft bill to avert budget cuts

Senate Democrats craft bill to avert automatic budget cuts to Pentagon, domestic programs

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Senate panel to vote Tuesday on Hagel nomination

Senate committee to vote Tuesday on Hagel nomination as Dem chairman rejects GOP demands

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Inside the Reporter's Notebook: 2014 IT budget passback is much ado about nothing

News and buzz from the last two weeks includes a new legislative proposal from Rep. Darrell Issa on suspension and debarment and round two of the Presidential Innovation Fellows program.

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Could cutting service contracts avert sequestration furloughs?

In an analysis prepared for the American Federation of Government Employees, contracting expert Charles Tiefer said that agency managers have a number of tools at their disposal to legally scale back service-contract spending and that doing so would be preferable to federal furloughs.

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SBA head Karen Mills resigning

Karen Mills, the head of the Small Business Administration, is resigning. Mills says she will stay on until a successor is confirmed.

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White House outlines deep cuts it may have to make

Ramping up pressure on Congress, White House details looming 'self-inflicted' spending cuts

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In Depth interviews - Feb. 8

On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.

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Obama to propose 1 percent pay increase in 2014 budget

President Barack Obama will recommend a 1 percent pay increase for federal employees in his fiscal 2014 budget request, according to federal-employee unions. The pay increase will apply to both civilian federal workers and military members. The White House is expected to release its full budget request next month.

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Postal Service lost $1.3 billion over quarter

Flurry of campaign ads, holiday mail helped post office some, but it still lost $1.3 billion

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Air Force: Sequestration already creating 'chronic inefficiency'

The Air Force's long-range planning and modernization takes back seat to preparations for near-term crises, including contingency plans to scale back civilian workforce. Civilian furloughs would be "breach of faith," Air Force says.

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