The Federal Eye: Congress


Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 04/02/2012

Domestic partners bill gets boost in Senate
By Joe Davidson
More cosponsors sign on to the domestic partners bill, which also won endorsements from more than 30 groups.

By Joe Davidson  |  01:00 PM ET, 04/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 02:57 PM ET, 03/13/2012

Senate rejects plan to extend federal pay freeze
By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder
Measure would have extended the freeze through 2013 to pay for tax breaks and energy projects.

By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder  |  02:57 PM ET, 03/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 03/08/2012

Senators introduce excess federal buildings bill
By Ed O'Keefe
The measure would require agencies to hire a property manager to help get rid of extra space.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:00 PM ET, 03/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Budget | Tags:  Federal government

Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 02/28/2012

GAO: Overlapping government programs cost billions
By Ed O'Keefe
FEDERAL EYE | Report cites dozens of examples of federal overlap, duplication and mismanagement that could easily be fixed.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:04 PM ET, 02/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Budget, Congress, Oversight

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/22/2012

Darrell Issa assesses his first year as chairman
By Ed O'Keefe
The California Republican has held hundreds of hearings and made hundreds of requests for information from the White House and agencies.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 02/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress

Posted at 04:46 PM ET, 02/17/2012

Harry Reid: Obama should issue recess appointments if Senate confirmation logjam persists
By Ed O'Keefe
Senate majority leader says he may tell Obama to issue recess appointments if a stalemate doesn’t break soon.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:46 PM ET, 02/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Confirmation Hearings, Revolving Door

Posted at 04:19 PM ET, 02/16/2012

How Benjamin Cardin got the federal pension deal
By Ed O'Keefe
The Maryland senator says that after these changes to federal compensation, “this is it.”

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:19 PM ET, 02/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 02/16/2012

Payroll tax deal forces new federal employees to pay more for retirement benefits
By Ed O'Keefe and Ben Pershing
Future federal employees would have to pay more for their retirement as part of a deal struck early Thursday.

By Ed O'Keefe and Ben Pershing  |  12:00 PM ET, 02/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 03:16 PM ET, 02/15/2012

Payroll tax deal may include federal pension changes
By Ed O'Keefe
Federal worker unions strongly opposed to plans to pay for payroll tax cut, unemployment benefits with federal worker compensation.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:16 PM ET, 02/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 02/15/2012

Democratic senators want ‘improvements’ to Postal Service bill
By Ed O'Keefe
Most Senate Democrats want changes made to a U.S. Postal Service bill before it comes up for a full vote in the coming weeks.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  12:15 PM ET, 02/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Postal Service

Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 02/07/2012

Bill to sell underused federal buildings advances
By Ed O'Keefe
The bill still requires Senate approval and differs from a White House proposal.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:15 PM ET, 02/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/07/2012

Republicans keep focus on federal pay
By Ed O'Keefe
FEDERAL EYE | Less than a week after House Republicans voted to freeze pay increases for federal employees, a bill forcing the rank and file to pay more for retirement benefits is up next.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 02/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 02/02/2012

Which lawmakers are friendliest to federal workers?
By Ed O'Keefe
A new report card ranks which lawmakers vote most often in the interest of federal employees.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 02/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 04:12 PM ET, 02/01/2012

House votes to freeze congressional, federal pay
By Ed O'Keefe
The vote is a symbolic victory for the GOP, which has cast government pay as an example of excessive federal spending.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:12 PM ET, 02/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 10:35 AM ET, 02/01/2012

Obama’s recess appointments will create uncertainty, GOP critics say
By Ed O'Keefe
Several GOP witnesses slated to appear before Rep. Darrell Issa’s House committee today think so.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  10:35 AM ET, 02/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Confirmation Hearings | Tags:  US House, recess appointments

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 01/30/2012

Federal, congressional pay freeze bill to be considered by House this week
By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder
A Wisconsin Republican wants to stop government pay raises for one more year, going against White House budget proposal.

By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder  |  05:19 PM ET, 01/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues, Budget

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/24/2012

State of the Union: 30 years of ‘Skutniks’
By Ed O'Keefe
Tonight’s State of the Union marks 30 years since a president first turned to the rafters and pointed to a regular Joe.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 01/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Administration, Congress

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 01/23/2012

Sen. Rand Paul declines TSA pat-down, is escorted from security checkpoint
By Ed O'Keefe
The Kentucky senator was escorted away from a Nashville airport security checkpoint for declining secondary screening, the agency says.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:20 AM ET, 01/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/23/2012

Federal employees owe $1.03 billion in unpaid taxes
By Ed O'Keefe
The Internal Revenue Service releases updated figures for how much federal, congressional and postal workers owe Uncle Sam.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 01/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues, Postal Service, Agencies and Departments, Eye Opener, Video Report

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 01/17/2012

Darrell Issa plans hearing on Occupy D.C.’s risk to public safety
By Ed O'Keefe
Lawmakers on a committee chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa plans to hold a hearing next week to probe public health and safety concerns at the encampment.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  05:00 PM ET, 01/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Oversight

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 01/12/2012

Recess appointments constitutional, Justice Department says
By Ed O'Keefe and Ylan Q. Mui
Justice Department releases its legal opinion backing up recent White House recess appointments.

By Ed O'Keefe and Ylan Q. Mui  |  11:20 AM ET, 01/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Revolving Door

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/12/2012

Congressional wildfire ‘office pool’ angers firefighters
By Ed O'Keefe
Federal firefighters complained this week when they learned Capitol Hill staffers bet on how many acres of land would burn.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 01/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 03:21 PM ET, 01/10/2012

Darrell Issa seeks answers on Occupy D.C. from Park Service
By Ed O'Keefe
The GOP lawmaker says the Park Service hasn’t been forthcoming about the costs of the four months of protests.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:21 PM ET, 01/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Agencies and Departments, Oversight

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 01/05/2012

What is a recess appointment?
By Ed O'Keefe
When is it used? Is it legal? Can it be stopped?

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 01/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Revolving Door

Posted at 03:08 PM ET, 12/19/2011

Extend payroll tax cut, leave federal pay alone, union says
By Ed O'Keefe
A federal worker union once again urges lawmakers to leave federal salaries alone as they vote to extend the payroll tax cut.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:08 PM ET, 12/19/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 12/19/2011

Congress grants Postal Service a big extension
By Ed O'Keefe
USPS now has eight more months to pony up billions of dollars in retirement costs.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  02:16 PM ET, 12/19/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 12/14/2011

Hearing exposes disarray at nuclear agency
By Ed O'Keefe
FEDERAL EYE | Four commissioners and the agency chairman air their grievances before a House committee.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:10 PM ET, 12/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress, Oversight

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 12/13/2011

Postal Service delays closing post offices
By Ed O'Keefe
The move is in response to requests from lawmakers trying to save hometown post offices.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:57 PM ET, 12/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 10:00 AM ET, 12/13/2011

Lieberman: Federal workers should prepare for longer pay freeze
By Ed O'Keefe
The senator said it’s an unfortunate necessity due to tighter budgets.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  10:00 AM ET, 12/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 08:00 PM ET, 12/12/2011

Dispute between Nuclear Regulatory Commission members about ‘organizational issues,’ White House says
By Ed O'Keefe
Obama administration declines to send witnesses to a House hearing on tensions at the nuclear safety agency.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  08:00 PM ET, 12/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress, Oversight

Posted at 06:15 PM ET, 12/09/2011

Federal unions oppose House GOP payroll tax plan
By Ed O'Keefe
They’re livid over plans to raise federal worker benefits to pay for the tax cut.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:15 PM ET, 12/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 12/09/2011

Congress approves flag honors for federal employees
By Eric Yoder
The Senate has joined the House in authorizing the presentation of American flags to the survivors of federal employees killed in the line of duty.

By Eric Yoder  |  12:45 PM ET, 12/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:03 AM ET, 12/09/2011

Keep federal pay freeze out of payroll tax extension, senators say
By Ed O'Keefe
Lawmakers call on leaders to reject plans to pay for payroll tax cut with third year of federal pay freeze.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:03 AM ET, 12/09/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Budget, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 12/08/2011

Will commuter benefits for federal workers expire?
By Ed O'Keefe
Union warns that federal workers will have to shell out more starting next year unless Congress acts.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 12/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 10:40 AM ET, 12/02/2011

Darrell Issa on Rick Perry’s ‘God awful’ threat to federal workers
By Ed O'Keefe
The GOP chairman overseeing federal workers says the Texas governor’s comments are more about politics than reality.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  10:40 AM ET, 12/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 01:40 PM ET, 11/29/2011

When Congress wiped an agency off the map
By Ed O'Keefe
It happened about 15 years ago — and two commentators blame Newt Gingrich for the bad idea.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:40 PM ET, 11/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Budget

Posted at 06:04 AM ET, 11/29/2011

Bill would make TSA screening of U.S. troops faster
By Ed O'Keefe
Lawmakers will vote tonight on a bill that would force such a change.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:04 AM ET, 11/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011

How the supercommittee’s failure will impact federal employees
By Haley Crum
With the failure of the supercommittee to agree on any budget cuts, where does that leave federal employees?

By Haley Crum  |  06:00 AM ET, 11/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Congress

Posted at 05:35 PM ET, 11/21/2011

Postmaster general: Bills to fix Postal Service ‘do not come close’
By Ed O'Keefe
The Postmaster General says competing House and Senate proposals are good, but not good enough.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  05:35 PM ET, 11/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 02:20 PM ET, 11/18/2011

Bill giving gay federal workers full benefits reintroduced
By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder
It’s the latest in a series of attempts to extend full benefits to the same-sex partners of federal government employees.

By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder  |  02:20 PM ET, 11/18/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/17/2011

GAO budget cuts panned in new report
By Ed O'Keefe
A Republican senator publishes an exhaustive study, attempting to prove that Congress’s watchdog can’t afford any more cuts.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 11/17/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Eye Opener

Posted at 04:50 PM ET, 11/16/2011

Is the supercommittee giving you the jitters?
By Ed O'Keefe
Federal workers, we need to hear from you!

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:50 PM ET, 11/16/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011

Wildlife refuge renamed for late U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director
By Ed O'Keefe
Congress votes to rename a wildlife refuge for agency director who died unexpectedly last year.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  09:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011

USAJobs snafu focus of House hearing
By Ed O'Keefe
A panel plans to probe whether the Office of Personnel Management is properly equipped to handle the needs of current and former feds.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 11/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 11:50 AM ET, 11/14/2011

Millionaires earn billions in federal benefits, report says
By Ed O'Keefe
Americans earning more than $1 million annually receive a combined $1.6 billion in federal benefits annually, according to a GOP senator.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:50 AM ET, 11/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress

Posted at 01:10 PM ET, 11/02/2011

Postal Service rescue bill unveiled in the Senate
By Ed O'Keefe
Four senators say they have the solutions needed to save the cash-strapped delivery service.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:10 PM ET, 11/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011

Energy Department couldn’t manage stimulus money, watchdog says
By Ed O'Keefe
Speaking to Congress for first time since the Solyndra scandal broke, inspector general says billions of stimulus dollars taxed the department.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 11/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Oversight, Tracking the Stimulus

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011

TSA frequent traveler program earning good reviews, agency says
By Ed O'Keefe
The program may soon expand nationwide.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 PM ET, 11/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 11/01/2011

Postal Service compromise in the works?
By Ed O'Keefe
Four senators are set to unveil what they consider a bipartisan compromise on Wednesday.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:15 PM ET, 11/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 04:35 PM ET, 10/27/2011

Flags for federal workers bill revived
By Eric Yoder
The bill stalled amid objections from a prominent veterans organization.

By Eric Yoder  |  04:35 PM ET, 10/27/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 05:35 PM ET, 10/19/2011

Veterans groups mobilize against defense cuts
By Steve Vogel
The nation’s largest veterans organizations are mobilizing their members to pressure Congress to preserve military spending and benefits.

By Steve Vogel  |  05:35 PM ET, 10/19/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Military, Budget, Congress

Posted at 04:33 PM ET, 10/17/2011

IRS chief: Budget cuts would hurt U.S., taxpayers
By Joe Davidson
The IRS commissioner has warned Congress that plans to cut the agency’s budget would increase the U.S. deficit and hurt customer service.

By Joe Davidson  |  04:33 PM ET, 10/17/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/17/2011

Government charge card abuse could soon be history
By Ed O'Keefe
If passed, the Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act might require regular credit checks of federal employees.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 10/17/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 06:45 PM ET, 10/14/2011

Committee probes alleged loan fraud against vets
By Steve Vogel
House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will investigate whethe lending institutions have cheated veterans and taxpayers out of hundreds of millions of dollars by charging illegal fees in home refinancing loans.

By Steve Vogel  |  06:45 PM ET, 10/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Military, Oversight, Congress

Posted at 05:25 PM ET, 10/14/2011

Senators call for extending federal pay freeze for third year
By Ed O'Keefe
The chair and ranking member on the Senate panel responsible for federal personnel says it’s necessary to help pay down the debt.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  05:25 PM ET, 10/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 03:50 PM ET, 10/13/2011

Panetta: Military retirement changes shouldn’t affect current troops
By Ed O'Keefe
The defense secretary says any future changes to the military retirement system will not affect those currently serving but that changes are likely.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:50 PM ET, 10/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Military, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 02:40 PM ET, 10/13/2011

Federal property closing panel one step closer to reality
By Ed O'Keefe
A House committee approved a bill Thursday that would establish a BRAC-like commission to find federal buildings worth closing or selling.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  02:40 PM ET, 10/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Budget

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 10/12/2011

The Postal Service debate, round two (Or three? We’ve lost count.)
By Ed O'Keefe
New ads, videos try to sway the public on how to fix the Postal Service’s financial woes.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  09:00 AM ET, 10/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Military, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/12/2011

Getting ready for the big switch in Iraq
By Ed O'Keefe
The State Department and its civilian workforce are slated to take over most U.S. operations in Iraq at the turn of the year.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 10/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Oversight, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/11/2011

Fallout from the $16 muffins continues
By Ed O'Keefe
It’s in response to those pricey muffins paid for by the Justice Department.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 10/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Agencies and Departments

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/05/2011

Senator to Coast Guard: Sink the pirate ship!
By Ed O'Keefe
Or, use it for target practice, Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) suggests.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 10/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 10/04/2011

Spending measure gives Postal Service 6 more weeks to pay bills
By Ed O'Keefe
The short-term spending measure passed Tuesday gives USPS more time . . . but will it ever pay up?

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:30 PM ET, 10/04/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 10/03/2011

Top federal watchdog faces budget cuts
By Ed O'Keefe
The nation’s most prominent federal watchdog, often credited with finding ways to save taxpayers billions of dollars, is poised to face significant budget cuts that may require layoffs and the closure of its regional offices.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 10/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Budget, Congress

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 09/29/2011

Onion Twitter joke prompts serious response
By Ed O'Keefe
U.S. Capitol Police deny reports — serious or satirical — of a hostage situation on Capitol Hill.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:20 AM ET, 09/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/29/2011

Harassment complaints on the rise on Capitol Hill
By Ed O'Keefe
A new report also faults Congress for exempting itself from key provisions of national workplace laws.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 09/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Oversight, Workplace Issues

Posted at 12:30 PM ET, 09/26/2011

FEMA has enough money to last until week’s end
By Ed O’Keefe
The agency revises drop-dead estimates issued last week.

By Ed O’Keefe  |  12:30 PM ET, 09/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Agencies and Departments, Congress

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 09/23/2011

FEMA’s disaster fund may go broke by Tuesday
By Ed O'Keefe
Congress is on the verge of depleting federal disaster relief funds for the first time in the agency’s history.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  05:40 PM ET, 09/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Budget, Congress

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 09/23/2011

Lawmakers offer bill to let federal employees donate unused sick leave
By Ed O'Keefe
While many agencies have leave banks, only one lets workers donate both annual vacation time and sick leave.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:20 AM ET, 09/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/22/2011

With FEMA funding in limbo, what’s being held up?
By Ed O'Keefe
A look at some of the projects not receiving federal funding while Congress determines how to pay for federal disaster assistance.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 09/22/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Agencies and Departments

Posted at 06:19 PM ET, 09/21/2011

Job cuts focus of heated Postal Service debate
By Ed O'Keefe
House lawmakers sparred Wednesday over competing proposals to buoy the beleaguered U.S. Postal Service.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:19 PM ET, 09/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 09/14/2011

Federal workers groups pledge to fight potential supercommittee cuts
By Joe Davidson
A coalition of 22 labor organizations is banding together in anticipation of potential cuts.

By Joe Davidson  |  03:30 PM ET, 09/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/14/2011

Secret Service expects a ‘demanding’ 2012
By Ed O'Keefe
The agency's director anticipates a busy year protecting current and former presidents, visiting dignitaries and the eventual GOP presidential nominee.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 09/14/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Budget, Agencies and Departments

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 09/12/2011

Legislation would give Postal Service 90 extra days to pay bills
By Ed O'Keefe
House Democrats unveiled a bill Monday that would give the agency 90 extra days to make an annual payment to fund health-care and retirement costs.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  02:30 PM ET, 09/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 09/12/2011

Where are most federal employees? Not in Washington
By Ed O'Keefe
Advocates for federal workers are reminding lawmakers that cuts to the federal payroll could have adverse economic affects inside and outside the Beltway.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  08:00 AM ET, 09/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 08:30 AM ET, 09/07/2011

Bill giving flags to families of federal workers killed in the line of duty appears poised to pass
By Ed O'Keefe
Amazingly — after years of acrimonious political debate and disagreement over the fate of federal workers — this legislation appears poised to pass.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  08:30 AM ET, 09/07/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 09/06/2011

Postal Service financial rescue plan in works at White House
By Ed O'Keefe
The proposals will come as part of Obama’s broader recommendations to “supercommittee.”

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:00 PM ET, 09/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress, Budget

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 09/06/2011

White House: Hurricane Irene will cost government at least $1.5 billion
By Ed O'Keefe
The estimate comes as senators prepare to consider a federal disaster relief bill.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 09/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Budget, Congress

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 09/02/2011

College Colors Day on Capitol Hill
By Ed O'Keefe
Don’t be alarmed if you see staffers donning Wolverines, Terrapins or Eagles jerseys in the halls of Congress today.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  09:00 AM ET, 09/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress

Posted at 11:54 AM ET, 08/28/2011

How will FEMA pay for Hurricane Irene?
By Ed O'Keefe
The agency is temporarily suspending payments to rebuild roads, schools and other structures destroyed during spring tornadoes.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:54 AM ET, 08/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Administration, Budget, Congress

Posted at 09:38 AM ET, 06/08/2011

GAO report examines alleged assaults at VA facilities
By Steve Vogel
The Government Accountability Office reported Wednesday that there have been nearly 300 alleged cases of sexual assaults at Veterans Administration facilities over a three-year period.

By Steve Vogel  |  09:38 AM ET, 06/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Confirmation Hearings, Congress, Military, Military

Posted at 03:21 PM ET, 06/06/2011

Lawmaker targets deductions for federal union dues
By Joe Davidson
Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) says he wants to empower federal employees by prohibiting the government from automatically deducting union dues from their paychecks.

By Joe Davidson  |  03:21 PM ET, 06/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 01:35 PM ET, 06/06/2011

House GOP unveils plan to cut federal workforce
By Ed O'Keefe
White House beancounters would have to keep close tabs on the number of federal employees on the government payroll if a Republican proposal to trim the federal workforce advances.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:35 PM ET, 06/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 05/26/2011

No more raises for poor-performing federal workers?
By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder
Federal employees whose job performance is rated as unacceptable would not be eligible for annual pay raises under a House bill expected to pass Thursday.

By Ed O'Keefe and Eric Yoder  |  06:00 AM ET, 05/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 04:02 PM ET, 05/25/2011

Under questioning, contracting official demurs on contractor disclosure order
By Ed O'Keefe
President Obama is considering plans to require contractors to disclose political activity before earning government work.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:02 PM ET, 05/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Contracting, Congress, Administration

Posted at 10:57 AM ET, 05/25/2011

David Vitter blocking pay raise for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
By Ed O'Keefe
A constitutional quirk bars the interior secretary from earning his full salary. His former senate colleague doesn’t want him to earn the extra money.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  10:57 AM ET, 05/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Congress, Administration

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 05/25/2011

FEMA aid bill advances as tornado response continues
By Ed O'Keefe
Lawmakers want to give it another $1 billion as it is already stretched thin by other twisters and floods one week before hurricane season begins.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:30 AM ET, 05/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress

Posted at 10:23 AM ET, 05/11/2011

Need to recharge your car? Try Capitol Hill.
By Ed O'Keefe
A bill may soon make it possible to recharge hybrid vehicles on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  10:23 AM ET, 05/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress

Posted at 08:15 AM ET, 04/27/2011

GOP senators press Obama to drop contractor disclosure order
By Ed O'Keefe
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and others want to know exactly how the White House would review the political activity of potential government contractors.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  08:15 AM ET, 04/27/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Contracting, Congress

Posted at 11:39 AM ET, 04/18/2011

Issa: 2012 budget cuts $375B in federal workforce costs
By Ed O'Keefe
Federal workers dodged several bullets in the 2011 budget finally passed last week, but a top House Republican says that the GOP’s 2012 budget would cut about $375 billion in federal workforce costs.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  11:39 AM ET, 04/18/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 07:30 AM ET, 04/15/2011

Bill cracks down on government charge card abuse
By Ed O'Keefe
Senators are one step closer to passing a bill that would crack down on abuse of government-issued charge cards and travel cards.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  07:30 AM ET, 04/15/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 01:36 PM ET, 04/13/2011

House panel to consider bills on federal pay, taxes and tenure
By Ed O'Keefe
The House panel overseeing the federal workforce is set to vote on a series of measures that federal worker union leaders believe unfairly target the rank and file

By Ed O'Keefe  |  01:36 PM ET, 04/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 04/11/2011

Senators reintroduce federal building security bill
By Ed O'Keefe
Senators are pushing once again to reform the beleaguered Federal Protective Service, the tiny agency responsible for security at federal facilities.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:09 PM ET, 04/11/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Workplace Issues, Congress

Posted at 10:18 PM ET, 04/08/2011

Government shutdown: Lawmakers pushing bill to ensure all feds get paid afterward
By Ed O'Keefe and Joe Davidson
The nation’s largest federal worker organization argues that the administration’s plans to have most employees continue working during a shutdown violates the Constitution.

By Ed O'Keefe and Joe Davidson  |  10:18 PM ET, 04/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Government Shutdown, Congress

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 04/05/2011

GOP budget plan freezes federal pay through 2015
By Eric Yoder and Ed O’Keefe
It would also cut the federal workforce by 10 percent, and requires employees to pay more toward their retirement benefits.

By Eric Yoder and Ed O’Keefe  |  03:09 PM ET, 04/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Budget, Congress, Workplace Issues

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 03/31/2011

The fine print of cutting government printing costs
By Ed O'Keefe
With all of Washington looking for new ways to trim the federal fat, there’s yet another proposal to cut back on the amount of money spent on paper and printing.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  06:00 AM ET, 03/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Eye Opener, Congress

Posted at 05:20 PM ET, 03/30/2011

Bill would trim list of Senate-confirmed jobs
By Ed O'Keefe
Hundreds of assistant secretaries would no longer have to endure confirmation hearings.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  05:20 PM ET, 03/30/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Confirmation Hearings, Congress

Posted at 03:09 PM ET, 03/23/2011

House Republicans plan to probe Postal labor deal
By Ed O'Keefe
House Republicans are inviting postal officials to Capitol Hill to explain their tentative agreement with a top labor union.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  03:09 PM ET, 03/23/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Postal Service, Congress

Posted at 04:26 PM ET, 03/21/2011

Does the Government Printing Office need a name change?
By Ed O'Keefe
Is it time to change the name of the Government Printing Office to better reflect the times? A key senator and the agency’s director suggested as much last week during a review of the agency’s budget requests.

By Ed O'Keefe  |  04:26 PM ET, 03/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Agencies and Departments, Congress