Thursday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

It’s double-header day for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. He explains to Congress a White House plan to overhaul the nation’s financial system. Geithner is set to provide detail before members of House and Senate committees. The proposal calls for enhanced powers for the Federal Reserve and other regulatory agencies. It also includes provisions for a new consumer protection agency to stop deceptive practices by lenders. Geithner says the plan is designed to fill in regulatory gaps and increase oversight of financial markets.

Same-sex partners of federal workers will get some federal benefits, but not full health insurance — at least not yet. In a memo released yesterday, President Obama says federal workers can use leave to care for their partners and non-biological and non-adopted children. They can also add their partners to the government’s long-term care insurance program. But those premiums are paid in full by employees. The White House says expanding health insurance will take an act of Congress.

A renewed push to restore labor-management partnerships within government. Government Executive reports that three democratic lawmakers have asked the president to bring back a labor-management partnership council. That group was set up by President Clinton. But it was abolished under the Bush administration. The lawmakers say their aim is to smooth relations between agency leadership and the rank-and-file.

The Pentagon is working on a presidential communications network that can survive a nuclear attack. NextGov reports the system is designed to withstand the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse that’s generated by nuclear weapons. It would let the country’s senior leadership, including the president, communicate during times of national emergency. In an unrelated item, Japanese news reports North Korea may fire a long-range ballistic missile toward Hawaii in early July.

Other Stories We’re Following

Months After Ted Stevens Debacle, Justice Department Corruption Unit in Disarray (WashingtonPost)

Guard who returned fire shaken by museum shooting

And Just in Case You’re Wondering

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