Wednesday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Phil Vogel
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

President Obama is pushing to re-institute the pay-as-you-go principle for government spending. He’s proposed new budget rules that would require Congress to cut spending or raise taxes to match every dollar spent. But his plan would carve out about $2.5 trillion dollars worth of exemptions over the next decade. It would also give him the green light to run big deficits in order to pass a plan for health care reform. Current estimates put the deficit near $10-trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

The General Services Administration writes a big check, $287 million dollars, to buy 14,000 fuel efficient vehicles. The funds come from the stimulus bill. And the cars will be manufactured in America by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. GSA says the goal is to help out American auto makers and spur on the government’s efforts to go green.

You might hear a loud boom in the sky today, but it may not be thunder. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is conducted two training exercises today. The practice session will include fighter jets flying over near the Capitol Building. It’ll happen between 11 AM and 2 PM. NORAD says the goal is to test warning systems and their ability to intercept and identify targets.

The Senate could vote as early as today on legislation that for the first time would give the FDA power to regulate tobacco sales, manufacturing and marketing. The House has passed a similar bill. And the Senate cleared the way when it soundly defeated an alternative offered by North Carolina’s two senators. Their proposal would have created a new agency to regulate tobacco.

E-verify gets new life in a House spending bill. NextGov reports the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee passed a provision that would extend the program for two years. E-verify is a system that lets employers verify the legal status of their workers using information in government databases. Many employers use the system voluntarily. But just last week, the Obama administration delayed implementation of a rule to require federal contractors to use the system.

With Martha Johnson still awaiting full Senate confirmation vote, the GSA has named a new Chief of Staff. FederalComputerWeek reports Danielle Germain is the former director of the Collaboration Project at the National Academy of Public Administration. Three of the areas she cited as being critical areas are modernizing federal buildings, greening the federal fleet, and creating more dialogue between citizens and the government.

Other Stories We’re Following

Struggling to Boost Forest Service Morale (WashingtonPost)

Can GSA bounce back? (FederalTimes)

State Dept. couple accused of spying to appear in court

Panel OKs new commanders for Afghanistan and NATO

Army Corps orders thousands of trees chopped down

Sunflower growers get insurance against low prices

What to know before buying dietary supplements

New National Recording Registry entries announced

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