Federal Drive

Thursday Morning Newscast

Written by Ruben Gomez and Tom Temin Edited by Phil Vogel This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: Working for the federal government will not get yo...

Federal News Network Staff

October 1, 2009 8:15 am

3 min read

Written by Ruben Gomez and Tom Temin
Edited by Phil Vogel

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Working for the federal government will not get you special treatment for swine flu vaccine. The Department of Health and Human Services and OPM say that federal employees will be treated like all others: Those in high-risk groups will be first to get the vaccine. The H1N1 pandemic is not expected to affect the continuity of government.

It looks like the government will continue running through October. The Senate has passed a continuing resolution to fund most agencies at 2009 levels until Congress approves permanent spending bills. The House passed its version last week. The measure was included in 2010’s Legislative Branch funding bill. It now goes to President Obama for his signature.

Today marks the first day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Do you know what your firewalls are doing? The Department of Homeland Security launches the month with a Washington-style kickoff at the Reagan Building. Secretary Janet Napolitano and other White House officials will promote good “cyber hygiene” before an audience of government, industry, and school-children. This year’s theme is “shared responsibility.”

Do you like star-gazing? Here’s your chance to do it from our nation’s back yard. The Smithsonian has opened its first public observatory on the National Mall! The big telescope promises stunning views of the sun and solar system — planets like Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. The telescope is on loan from an observatory in Massachusetts. And it’s open Tuesdays through Sundays, between 10 a.m. And 2 p.m.

Without waiting for a climate bill from Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tough new rules for large producers of greenhouse gas power plants, factories and oil refiners, according to the Wall Street Journal. They would be required to obtain permits to emit carbon dioxide. EPA would exempt small businesses such as restaurants and farms from the new rules. Some lawmakers are already questioning whether EPA’s action is legal.

There’s now a price tag on the Obama administration’s goal of making sure every American has broadband internet access. Federal Communications Commission officials say the tab could be as high as $350 billion, according to a NextGov report. The FCC wants to present its broadband plan to Congress in February. Lower estimates would accommodate basic e-mail and Web surfing. But the high priced option would bring high-definition movies and video conferencing.

The government has awarded $5 billion in grants for research into cures for cancer and other diseases. President Obama said the grants will create thousands of new jobs. He personally announced the awards at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Before making remarks about the grants, Obama and Sebelius toured an NIH cancer laboratory.

More news links

Credit/debit machines malfunction at Metro (WTOP)

Patent Office Weighs Ways To Cut Growing Backlog (WashingtonPost)

Federal IT contractors find domestic sourcing an alternative to offshoring (nextGov)

TSA to expand use of body scanners (USAToday)

Tsunami warning system didn’t work in time (WashTimes)

The Efficacy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (JointForceQuarterly)