Monday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Jane Norris and Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Another move in Congress to eliminate Pay for Performance in the Defense Department: This time in the Senate where a panel has added a provision to the Defense Authorization bill. FederalTimes reports the measure would freeze any expansion of the National Security Personnel System and eventually end it. The House has approved similar language in its version of the defense spending bill. But the White House is threatening a veto.

Nearly four years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, USAToday reports there are still nearly 3,000 mobile homes and trailers in use across the Gulf Coast according to figures released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The federal government has made it a priority to vacate the temporary trailers, after formaldehyde and toxics were found present. FEMA and HUD recently announced programs to help residents find new lodging, including $50 million in housing vouchers.

Just one day left: US Troops pull out of Iraqi urban centers tomorrow, handing over security to local soldiers and police. State TV there showing a countdown clock to what they call National Sovereignty Day. The top US commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, tells CNN he’s confident it’s the right time for the move. The withdrawl marks the first major step toward removing all American forces from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is supporting efforts to repeal parts of a law that would force states to collect and share information from drivers licenses. FederalComputerWeek reports Napolitano favors the proposed Pass ID act which would roll back some information-sharing requirements between States mandated in the REAL ID Act.

The Justice Department is delaying the release of a CIA Inspector General report on harsh interrogation techniques until Wednesday. The Government is struggling over how much of the classified document should be released to the ACLU which filed a freedom of information Act lawsuit. A version of the 150 page report was released last year but most of the information in the report was blacked out

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is making personal efforts to try to free two U.S. journalists imprisoned in North Korea and that he played a role in the release last month of another jailed journalist in Iran Roxana Saberi. Ban Ki Moon told the Washington Times he was frustrated that there has been no response from North Korea to requests to free Laura Ling and Euna Lee who have been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor.

President Obama on Sunday praised the energy bill passed by the House late last week as an “extraordinary first step,” but does not agree with a provision that would impose trade penalties on countries that do not accept limits on global warming and pollution, according to the New York Times. The passage of the House bill on Friday night was an important, first victory for the president, and is the first time either chamber of Congress had approved a mandatory ceiling on the gases linked to global warming.

A change-up possibly on the way for how agencies use multiple-awards schedules. An advisory panel reviewing the General Services Administration program has put out a list 20 recommendations to streamline how it works. They include the elimination of the price reduction clause from service contracts. The panel planning to submit the list to GSA’s acting administrator within the next week or two.

Meanwhile, governmentwide acquisition contracts aren’t leaving the federal space, at least not yet. Ed O’Hare of the Federal Acquisition Service clarifying remarks he made last week indicating GWACs would be merged with the schedules program at GSA. O’Hare was reportedly just projecting how the marketplace might look in the future, and not announcing plans to change it. The schedules program is mainly used for commercial products and services. GWACs are intended for noncommercial services.

Other Stories We’re Following

Stimulus oversight board takes waste and fraud prevention steps (GovExec)

Government stimulates savings more than spending

Gov’t urges old savings bond cash-ins (UPI)

Did toxic chemical in Iraq cause GIs’ illnesses?

Regulators extend review of Oracle’s Sun takeover

Study finds widening generation gap in US

Activists hot over senator’s stance on oyster farm

‘Roadshow’ antique appraised at $1.07M (UPI)

Under-bite helps Pabst become World’s Ugliest Dog

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