Federal Pay Caught Up in Fiscal 2009 Budget Debates

In his letter, Lieberman focused primarily on the Department of Homeland Security, pointing out what he considers to be funding shortfalls at the TSA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Waxman took issue with an array of Bush initiatives, including a pilot project that the White House said would provide incentives for federal agencies to sell off surplus property. Waxman said he wanted to retain preferences that put federal agencies and homeless shelters at the front of the line to claim surplus government property. Davis, meanwhile, proposed expanding investment options in the Thrift Savings Plan, the 401(k)-type program for federal employees. Any new options should include a real estate stock investment fund, he said.

Postal Nominee

Nanci E. Langley was nominated by the president last week to become a commissioner of the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees certain aspects of U.S. Postal Service operations, including postage increases.

Langley has been director of the office of public affairs and government relations at the commission. Before joining the commission, she served as a longtime adviser to Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and was deputy staff director of the Senate subcommittee on oversight of government management, the federal workforce and the District of Columbia.

The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.