The budget will be one of the first things the new Congress takes up, according to leadership on both sides of Capitol Hill. The Defense Department is already starting its push to end -- or at least cut back on -- sequestration. James Jay Carafano is director of the Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage Foundation. He shared his Top 3 for 2015 on In Depth with Francis Rose. He says he thinks Congress will do a real defense budget in 2015, but that doesn't mean sequestration will go away.
Today is officially day number one of the 114th Congress. David Hawkings of Roll Call calls it the first day of school. And the education process gets under way today for people who represent federal employees before members of Congress. Jessica Klement is legislative director at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she explained why it's so important to start today telling members about federal employee issues.
"Hope" is a critical word for the senior executive service going into 2015, according to Senior Executives Association President Carol Bonosaro. That hope stems from President Barack Obama's recent address to the SES and his management agenda. But reality might stand in the way of financial and management progress at your agency. She shared her Top 3 for 2015 on In Depth with Francis Rose. Carol expects low morale to continue because of a not-so-new Congress.
Tuesday marks the first day of the 114th Congress, which mostly serves as a day of ceremony for freshman members. But once the fanfare is over, experts on the Hill say Republicans and Democrats will get right back to settling some old scores left over from 2014.
By ERICA WERNER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress’ approval rating hovers around 15 percent, but there’s one group of people excited about the institution: the newly elected lawmakers who are about to join its…
Embassy security, the Secret Service and the Postal Service are on the fix-it list for the new chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). His first move is reorganizing the subcommittees. Erik Wasson, Capitol Hill reporter for Bloomberg Government, joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive to discuss the road ahead for Oversight and Government Reform in the 114th Congress.
Today is the opening day of the 114th Congress. It's got a lot to consider, and a lot to accomplish. But what can federal employees expect from this new Washington? Especially with all the new faces joining the floor later this morning. Don Kettl, a professor at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy, joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive with some analysis and predictions.
The 114th Congress starts today. It marks the start of a new majority for the next two years and will coincide with the last two years of the Obama administration. David Hawkings is Senior Editor of Roll Call. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he looked at the new faces to see what's in store for this year.
A new Congress starts today, and a crash course is available for incoming members to learn about the biggest challenges for federal agencies. Bob Tobias is professor of Key Executive Leadership Programs at American University. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he described at the Bipartisan Program for Newly-Elected Members of Congress, and thinks the incoming class might not know exactly what they're signing up for.
When the 114th Congress gets back to work next week, a new corps of leaders will take over important committees. Mac Thornberry will lead the House Armed Services Committee; Jason Chaffetz will chair the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; and Republicans will take over the chairs of all the committees in the Senate. Rob Burton is a partner at the Venable law firm, and former Deputy Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he shared his Top 3 for 2015. He said you can expect more oversight in the new Congress.
As Congress comes back next week, the Defense Department expects to make a huge push to end sequestration -- or at least blunt its effects. Part of the case the Pentagon will make is that its "cost culture" strategy is making a difference in how it's spending the money it does have. Dave Wennergren is Senior Vice President for Technology at the Professional Services Council, and former Assistant Deputy Chief Management Officer at the Defense Department. He shared his Top 3 for 2015 on In Depth with Francis Rose. He said that cost culture will spread from the Pentagon to all across government.
Gridlock in Washington in recent years has stalled tax bills and other legislation aimed at helping small companies, but such proposals are expected to be on the agenda in the Republican-led Congress.
The Senate might confirm Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's replacement in less than a month. At the moment, chances look good for former deputy defense secretary Ash Carter to take the helm at the Pentagon. Steve Grundman is George Lund fellow for emerging defense challenges for the Atlantic Council's Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. He's also former deputy defense undersecretary for industrial affairs and installations. On In Depth with Francis Rose, Steve tells Federal News Radio's Sean McCalley Congress has an opportunity to appoint a leader who wants change.
New cybersecurity legislation President Obama signed recently may just be the start of Congress's efforts to improve the government's cyber defenses. The 114th Congress will look at other ways to give government IT leaders tools they need to improve security. Major General Dale Meyerrose (US Air Force ret.) was the first Chief Information Officer of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In his Top 3 for 2015, he suggests Congressional response isn't enough. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said he believes ongoing tensions that social media highlights don't get enough attention from leaders in the federal government.
As agencies decide on a two-year plan for structuring their senior executive workforce, one agency head says that the Office of Personnel Management is keeping some of the best and brightest from joining the SES.