Federal Drive

Monday Morning Federal Newscast

Written by Ruben Gomez & Tom Temin Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: The Department of Agriculture reorganizes i...

Federal News Network Staff

October 19, 2009 8:10 am

2 min read

Written by Ruben Gomez & Tom Temin
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

The Department of Agriculture reorganizes its management structure and hopes to set a new model for government. Federal News Radio has learned the department is combining several management functions — including procurement, IT and human resources. They’re also downgrading the roles of chief information officer and chief financial officer. The goal, according to an internal memo, is more efficiency.

More help is in the pipeline for federal families with boomerang kids. The final House health care reform package will require all insurance plans, including the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program reports GovExec, to cover dependents up to age 27. The current limit is 22 year old.

Federal spending expected to push the public debt to unsustainable records in less than 10 years. The Government Accountability Office says the amount government owes will surpass 109-percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2019. That record was set one year after World War Two. GAO blames the prediction, in part, on rising costs for federal healthcare programs.

Army leaders want GIs to discover how they might have been strengthened by their combat experience. A planned resiliency program will look into how combat may have made them emotionally stronger. USA Today reports research shows many people can emerge from the trauma of battle with more self-confidence, compassion and appreciation for life. Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, director of the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program point out, the majority of war veterans do not suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Energy Department has concluded it can’t really tell if appliances with the Energy Star label actually meet the requirements for energy efficiency. The New York Times reports, some manufacturers could be putting the stickers on unqualified products. It all stems from an audit by the Energy Department’s inspector general. The Energy Star program is jointly managed by Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Meantime, under the stimulus bill, $300 million will go to rebates for consumers who buy Energy Star products.

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