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.

    January 02, 2015
  • 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.

    January 01, 2015
  • 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.

    December 30, 2014
  • 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.

    December 30, 2014
  • 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.

    December 30, 2014
  • By LARRY NEUMEISTER and STEPHEN OHLEMACHER Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A New York congressman who pleaded guilty to tax evasion just days ago has announced he’ll resign from office next week because he…

    December 30, 2014
  • By JOSH LEDERMAN Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — Bracing to do business with a Congress run solely by Republicans, President Barack Obama is serving notice he has no qualms about vetoing legislation he dislikes. This…

    December 29, 2014
  • The 114th Congress convenes next week, and the budget moves they should make early on are clear to a number of defense experts. One of them is retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro, the chief executive officer of the Punaro Group. In his Top 3 for 2015, he tells In Depth with Francis Rose why dealing with the sequester, the debt and the deficit should be the top priority.

    December 29, 2014
  • A flurry of cybersecurity bills passed through Congress after six years of no legal progress at all on the cyber front. Individually, none of the five cyber bills stand out above the rest. That's according to Chris Smith, vice president of for technology at AT&T Government Solutions, and former chief information officer of the Agriculture Department. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said it's the passage of all five at once that's significant.

    December 29, 2014
  • U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm admitted Tuesday to federal tax evasion, pleading guilty to charges he had fought as he won re-election in November, but he remained determined to stay in office even with his sentencing now looming.

    December 24, 2014
  • President Barack Obama signed the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act deal Friday. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees arrived at a compromise over troop benefits in the fiscal year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act that will give soldiers a 1 percent pay raise, as well as a $3 increase in most prescription co-pays. House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) released a summary of the ups and downs of this fiscal year's $585 billion NDAA, expected to be finalized before Congress leaves for the holidays.

    December 22, 2014
  • President Obama signed a broad $41.6 billion program of tax breaks into law that will retroactively raise the monthly mass-transit subsidy to $250 per month for 2014. The extension of these tax breaks, however, will only last until the end of 2014.

    December 22, 2014
  • Following President Obama's announced reforms to the Senior Executive Service, Doug Criscitello, managing director at Grant Thornton, says SES pay limits have made it difficult to attract top-quality managers across government.

    December 22, 2014
  • Budget cuts are forcing the IRS to impose a hiring freeze, except for emergencies, and eliminate almost all overtime. Commissioner John Koskinen said the cuts could also delay tax refunds, reduce taxpayer services and hurt enforcement efforts.

    December 19, 2014