Thursday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he is not budging: he’s putting himself on the tracks in front of anyone who wants to split the purchase of aerial refueling tankers for the Air Force. His comments came Wednesday in a speech at the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama. Some lawmakers have expressed support for the idea. They want to give two companies the right to build the planes. The contract, when it’s awarded, could be worth more than $40-billion dollars.

The government has its first “border czar.” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has chosen Alan Bersin to oversee efforts to end drug violence along the US-Mexico border. Bersin is a former federal prosecutor. In his new job, he’ll also help to stem the tide of illegal immigration. During his time as at the Justice Department, Bersin led the government’s crackdown on illegal immigration at the California-Mexico border.

Money-talk returns to Congress next week as lawmakers return from a two week recess. A conference committee takes up the 2010 budget resolution to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions passed before Congress left town. The House also starts on an $83-billion dollar supplemental funding bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Obama requested the money on Monday.

Federal prosecutors going back to class: Attorney General Eric Holder ordering all of them to take a refresher course on when they’re required to turn over evidence in a criminal case. This follows the botched corruption case against former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens…. Prosecutors there stand accused of witholding evidence from the defense team. Those prosecutors now face a criminal probe.

Facebook and Twitter essential to national security? Two researchers at the National Defense University say the answer is “yes!” NextGov says they’re calling on the Pentagon to adopt a comprehensive strategy for using social media to improve national security. They say the move is necessary because friends and foes alike are using social media to communicate and the US government just cannot afford to fall behind.

Other Stories We’re Watching:

State Department Makes Changes After GAO Investigator Falsely Obtains Passports (WashingtonPost)

SBA proposes HUBZone rule change (WashingtonTechnology)

Holder praises JAGs for work with terror suspects

Group sues feds over endangered species protection

Homeland Security official convicted of taking bribe

First Dog Gets His First Children’s Book (NYTimes)

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