Panel examines security clearance procedures
(Matt McClain / The Washington Post)
FEDERAL DIARY | Congressional hearing looks at tightening clearance procedures after the Navy Yard mass shooting.
Federal Diary
Government has history of computer problems
Government computer ailments have made life difficult for federal workers, but there are lessons in the misery.
Worker morale still recovering from shutdown
The government shutdown is over, but it opened a slow-healing wound that eroded trust and hurt morale.
OMB head says more employee furloughs possible
OMB director discusses trust in government, employee morale and more furloughs following shutdown.
U.S. Embassy offers free tickets to anti-U.S.covert ops movie
The U.S. embassy in Australia is giving away tickets to international film festival movies, including one that attacks Washington’s anti-terror actions.
‘Fredo’ Gonzales lands new gig in Nashville
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, despite a rough time in Washington, is finding success in Nashville.
Obama’s new picks for top administration jobs
Obama announces nominees for ambassadorships to New Zealand and Iceland, and other administration positions.
The High Court
At Supreme Court, tradition trumps technology
A panel last week looked at how the justices’ stubbornness goes beyond barring cameras in the courtroom.
Supreme Court continues to scrutinize affirmative action
Case asks justices whether Michigan’s ban on preferences can violate guarantee of equal protection.
Supreme Court’s Baby Veronica ruling only the beginning
THE HIGH COURT | The little girl’s future is still in doubt, despite the ruling that an Indian adoption law doesn’t apply.
Fine Print
Fine Print: In tribute to Tom Foley, a lesson in leadership
Bob Michel spoke movingly of their bipartisan relationship. It would be nice if current lawmakers took note.
Fine Print: Retired Marine general discusses U.S. resolve
How does the United States provide global leadership without both a carrot and a stick?
Fine Print: HealthCare.gov’s tech troubles aren’t unique
Pentagon, for example, has struggled for a while and at quite a cost.
Latest Federal News
U.S. Embassy focused on free speech, free movie tickets
In Australia, a film that criticizes the U.S. gets equal treatment
Government sets 20-year high for hiring veterans
Nearly 29 percent of the federal government’s total new hires for 2012 were military veterans.
Focusing on Navy Yard shooting, Senate panel examines security clearances
Lawmakers expressed concern that the federal-government’s security-clearance process does not always check police records.
Feds and contractors with clearance owe $85 million in unpaid taxes
A report from the Government Accountability Office said about half of the 8,400 individuals with unpaid tax bills had worked out a repayment plan.
U.S. Embassy offers free tickets to anti-U.S.covert ops movie
The U.S. embassy in Australia is giving away tickets to international film festival movies, including one that attacks Washington’s anti-terror actions.
FAA to allow use of personal electronics during flights
The agency announced the changes on Thursday, with the new rules set to be implemented by the end of the year.
The psychological toll on federal workers
James Campbell Quick, an expert on workplace disruptions, on the lingering impact of the shutdown.
It’s scary what the government can do with data
The U.S. Census Bureau has compiled a list of statistics and other fun facts relating to Halloween and other holidays.
‘Fredo’ Gonzales lands new gig in Nashville
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, despite a rough time in Washington, is finding success in Nashville.
Fine Print: In tribute to Tom Foley, a lesson in leadership
Bob Michel spoke movingly of their bipartisan relationship. It would be nice if current lawmakers took note.
In the Loop: Sebelius takes her turn on the hot seat
HealthCare.gov makes the HHS secretary the administration’s latest punching bag.
Obama’s new picks for top administration jobs
Obama announces nominees for ambassadorships to New Zealand and Iceland, and other administration positions.
Obama nominee is following in dad’s footsteps
Sheba Crocker is president Obama’s pick for a post at the State Department -- where her father, a Republican, once served.
Sebelius subs for Clinton who subbed for Holder
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is the latest administration official to assume the role of pinata for the Obama administration.
Federal Protective Service criticized again over guard training
Once again, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found fault with the Federal Protective Service (FPS) that provides security for 9,600 federal facilities.
Bill would prevent delays in military ‘death benefits’
EYE CATCHERS | Our recommended stories from The Washington Post and across the Web.
Retirees to get inflation increase to benefits
Cost of living adjustment for retirees exceeds expected pay raise for federal workers.
Judicial nominee’s ‘Legally Blonde’ moment
John Owens, Obama’s pick for the ninth circuit, feared he had been the inspiration behind a character in the Reese Witherspoon rom-com.
Veterans’ committee leaders call for advance funding in wake of shutdown
A bipartisan group of lawmakers from Congress’s Veterans’ Affairs committees are pushing legislation to advance appropriations to all VA programs.
House approves bill to limit awards for VA employees
The bipartisan measure, which passed unanimously, would reduce bonuses by about 13 percent.
Okla. abortion-law case ready for Supreme Court review
That state’s high court says a new law would ban medication abortions, setting up a Supreme Court review.
In the Loop: The watchdogs are with us
VA bristled at Loop criticism of its spending. Now it can bristle at the House oversight panel.
Issa slams VA; VA slams The Loop
A new House oversight committee report finds a “culture of mismanagement and reckless spending” at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Trouble for Mel Watt’s nomination?
Conservative Club for Growth reminding them that it’s closely watching the vote on the nominee to head the Federal Housing Financing Agency.
Chiraag Bains: Protecting the rights of defenseless victims
Bains crisscrosses the country interviewing witnesses and trying cases to help protect the rights of some of the country’s most defenseless populations—victims of cross burnings, arrestees beaten by police officers and prisoners abused by guards.
Government has history of computer problems
Government computer ailments have made life difficult for federal workers, but there are lessons in the misery.
Meet Penny Pritzker
In this week’s Background Check, the commerce secretary talks about motherhood and triathlons.
Fine Print: Retired Marine general discusses U.S. resolve
How does the United States provide global leadership without both a carrot and a stick?
Reid to push White House nominees
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sets in motion a series of votes on a handful of key White House picks.
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