Monday federal headlines – December 14, 2015

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive.

• A new paper from the Volcker Alliance outlines 48 federal agency breakdowns since 2000. The paper, authored by former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker and New York University professor Paul Light highlights government failures such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the launch of Healthcare.gov. They conclude that making public service more attractive for workers and getting Congress and the White House to work together are starting points for preventing future failures. (Volcker Alliance)

• Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Frank Kendall says his most significant concern going into 2016 is the effect sequestration is having on U.S. military technological superiority. Kendall wrote in an op-ed this weekend for Defense News that the tendency to cut research and development funds deprives the nation of future capabilities. He wants an end to sequestration as he says the amount of threats against the U.S. is growing and the government is not keeping pace. (Defense News)

• Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security Christian Marrone is leaving the job after two years. In an interview with the Washington Post, Marrone said he’ll be leaving for a job with IT government contractor CSRA. Marrone said the time away from his family the job requires is the main reason for this move. (Washington Post)

• Federal employees have a half-day off on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. President Obama signed an executive order on Friday afternoon. Postal workers and contract employees should contact their supervisors to find out about their leave and pay entitlements for that day. Office of Personnel Management Acting Director Beth Cobert said employees who already requested off Dec. 24, in most cases, won’t be charged a vacation day. (Federal News Radio)

• The White House will likely stand up a new agency that will be in charge of the federal security clearance process. Former federal counterintelligence official Doug Thomas said the National Investigative Service Agency will have its own director, and in his words, a “new focus.” The White House directed a 90-day review of the federal security clearance back in May. The results of the review should come out in the coming weeks. (Federal News Radio)

• The Office of Personnel Management says it has sent out letters to 93 percent of the 21.5 million current and former federal employees impacted by the cyber breach earlier this year. The agency said it will continue to mail out letters as it collects current or more accurate addresses for letters that were returned. The letters direct victims to OPM’s cybersecurity page, where they may sign up for credit-monitoring services. (Federal News Radio)

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