Friday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

The Justice Department is gearing up for a potential hiring spree, thanks to the president’s 2010 budget request. If Congress approves, Justice would see a $1 billion increase, and Attorney General Eric Holder says that would pay for nearly 1,200 new hires. That would include agents and attorneys to help secure the Southwest border. In all, Justice would receive $26.5 billion dollars.

The Senate has confirmed Ivan Fong to be General Counsel for Homeland Security. Fong comes to the job from Cardinal Health, where he’s Chief Legal Officer. He’s also served as Deputy Associate Attorney General where he played a key role in directing the government’s role in civil litigation and enforcement matters.

The management ranks at FEMA are getting filled, but still no permanent head. The Senate has confirmed Timothy Manning to be deputy administrator in charge of preparedness. Manning has previously served as Director of New Mexico’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. In that job, he led the State’s disaster and emergency preparedness efforts. And he was once a rescue mountaineer. The Senate is still waiting to vote on a FEMA leader. Craig Fugate is the nominee, but one Senator has blocked his nomination on concerns over hurricane response.

Thousands of troops head to Afghanistan, but without the equipment they need to fight the Taliban there. That word comes from Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a trip to that country. He calls the equipment delay a “considerable concern,” and vows to pursue it when he returns to Washington. It’s not, though, clear just what type of equipment is being held up. The troop movements are part of a 21,000 strong buildup ordered by President Obama.

The country gets its new drug czar. The Senate has approved the nomination of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. In his new job, he’ll lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Kerlikowske is a 36-year law enforcement veteran. He’s pledged to focus on reducing demand for illicit drugs.

The president’s choice to lead the Census Bureau has yet to be confirmed but he’s already threatening to resign. Those words come from Robert Groves in a pledge to run the 2010 census free of politics. He says that if necessary he’ll stand up to Congressional Republicans and the White House. And if there’s undue pressure from either, he’ll step down and work from the outside “to stop the abuse.”

Other Stories We’re Watching:

Budget Winners (WashingtonPost)

Pants on fire? Thermal imager may reveal a lie

Flu overhyped? Some say officials ‘cried swine’

Study finds that Lockheed Martin needs to stop disposing of hard drives with top secret data intact (engadget)

Grand jury indicts bogus ‘bounty hunter’ (MdDailyRecord)

Comedian sneaks into US State department (Telegraph)

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