Federal Drive interviews – Sept. 7

Former SEC inspector general David Kotz explains the extent and limits of IG powers. And a DHS officials offers tips on transition planning.

David KotzDirector, Berkeley Research Group

The disputed incident at a GSA conference in Nashville has federal managers and people on Capitol Hill thinking about inspectors general. An IG agent banged on the hotel door of a GSA manager late at night, wanting information. IGs have law enforcement powers. The question is when they should use them, and on whose orders. Kotz is the former IG of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Bill HughesGeneral Counsel, National Association of Federal Veterinarians

The Agriculture Department wants to send inspectors to Mexico to check out cattle headed for the United States. That used to be standard procedure, until drug cartels and violent crime got in the way. USDA says it is making sure everything is safe before reopening its Mexican facilities. But the veterinarians don’t want to go.


Rear Adm. John ActonExecutive Director of Leader Development, Homeland Security Department

With a presidential election right around the corner, agencies are preparing for the possibility of big changes. At the Excellence in Government conference, Rear Adm. Acton spoke with Federal News Radio’s Jason Miller about transition planning.


Ronald YoungExecutive Director, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve program, Defense Department

The nation’s unemployment rate is high, but it’s even higher among members of the military’s guard and reserve forces: 13 percent. Among younger reservists, it’s more than 24 percent. Young talked with Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu about why the number is so high, and what DoD’s doing to match up employers with guardsmen and reservists.

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