The Morning Federal Newscast is a daily compilation of the stories you hear threatened to make his life miserable if he told Congress the proposed budget was inadequate. A spokesman for OMB says his agency will investigate the claims. And leaders on the oversight committee have asked for a report on the investigation by January 22nd.
President Obama has filled top government jobs about as fast as the Bush administration — but not quickly enough. That finding comes in a new Partnership for Public Service report on presidential transitions. The report says about 4-in-10 positions remain vacant, nearly one year after Mr. Obama took office. Among them, the leaders for the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection. The Partnership says those vacancies can leave the country vulnerable, and recommends major fixes to the presidential transition system before the next election.
Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf will call on the President and Congress to make the leadership post at the Transportation Security Administration a 10-year position. Wolf plans to introduce legislation to make that happen, as part of a number of steps he’s recommending to improve national security. In a letter to President Obama Tuesday, the Congressman also called on Mr. Obama to bring back the co-chairmen of the 9/11 commission to review which of the panel’s recommendations have been implemented. He also asked for the creation of a “Team B” made up of experts to provide the President with other perspectives on dealing with the issue.
The White House has changed the way jobs are counted under the $787 billion stimulus plan. Under the new rules, agencies count jobs funded by the stimulus program including pay raises for existing employees rather than jobs created or saved. That means that any stimulus money used to cover payroll will be included in the jobs credited to the program, including pay for people who never were in jeopardy of losing their positions. The new rules, quietly published last month in a memorandum to federal agencies, mark the White House’s latest response to criticism about the way it counts jobs credited to the stimulus.
Federal IT spending will grow in 2010, according to new forecasts. The research firm Government Insights predicts about $76 billion dollars in spending. That’s a 4 percent rise over last year. The firm expects most of the spending to come from civilian agencies.
President Barack Obama holds another sit-down at the White House this morning about health care with congressional Democratic leaders. They’re haggling over details of a final bill. It appears a surtax on the wealthy approved by the House will be dropped.
The International Federation of Red Cross says Haiti’s major earthquake yesterday has affected up to 3 million people — one-third of the country’s population. No firm word yet on casualties, but the toll is expected to be high because of numerous collapsed buildings.
More news links
Contract cons can exploit Transportation delay (WashingtonTimes)
Tuberculosis patient flies despite being on banned list (CNN)
Clinton accepts Japan’s delay on US base decision
Former Blackwater contractor suspect in Afghan deaths to be held until trial
Google threat a rare show of defiance in China
AP source: Obama to announce bank fees Thursday
Government officials probe 15 FHA lenders
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