Friday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez and Jane Norris
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Homeland Security partners with the Justice Department to fight drug smuggling along the borders. The agreement between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration aims to increase the number of agents targeting international drug traffickers. Both agencies also aim to stregnthen electronic information-sharing. They’ll use a case-management system available to multiple agencies. The agreement will be reviewed after one year.

The president has nominated David Kappos to head up the Patent and Trademark Office. If confirmed, Kappos will have his work cut out. The Patent and Trademark Office faces a backlog of more than 700,000 applications. Kappos is currently the Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for Intellectual Property Law at IBM. He’s been with that company since 1983.

The Coast Guard promotes an insider to lead acquisition there. Rear Adm. Ronald Rabago takes command to lead a 2-year old acquisition arm and the organization’s troubled Deepwater modernization program. Before his new post, Rabago was the acquisition directorate’s program executive officer. He replaces Rear Admiral Gary Blore, who’s off to lead the Coast Guard’s Pacific Northwest District in Seattle.

Boeing ups the ante in its Air Force tanker bid. The company may offer a tanker version of its 777 jet as it tries again to win a $35-billion dollar contract for new Air Force refueling planes. That purchase order originally went to Northrop Grumman. But Defense Secretary Robert Gates threw out the award in September. Congressional auditors concluded the Air Force unfairly penalized Boeing’s smaller plane — the 767. Gates plans to restart competition in the coming weeks.

Battlefield communications will be a centerpiece for the Army’s revamped modernization project, or Future Combat Systems. That word coming from the Pentagon in a hearing before a Senate subcommittee. NextGov reports the Army has requested $749-million dollars for battlefield networks in 2010. That’s the second largest budget line item after engineering. The Defense Department also plans a new set of networked ground vehicles many of which would be unmanned.

Alcohol dependency is a growing problem for the Army. The number of soldiers in treatment programs for alcohol abuse has nearly doubled since 2003 and similar abuse problems are also being reported by the Marines, reports USAToday. Military commanders say this is a sign of the increased stress of deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Giving the Federal Reserve new powers to regulate has Congress questioning whether the move gives too much power to the agency. Both Democrats and Republicans voiced skepticism about the central bank monitoring firms deemed too big to fail and overseeing monetary policy. The plan also includes a new consumer protection agency and bringing unregulated sectors of the financial markets under government oversight.

Congress has sent President Barack Obama a massive spending bill aimed at ensuring that the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan won’t run out of money. The $106 billion emergency war bill also provides money for programs ranging from pandemic flu preparedness to a “cash for clunkers” initiative to encourage drivers to switch to more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Senate passed the measure on a one-sided 91-5 vote despite complaints from several senators about the add-ons.

The Apple i-Phone may be available more widely soon. The WashingtonPost reports the Federal Communications Commission is launching a review into exclusive partnerships between wireless companies and smart phone makers to see if the deals harm consumers and hamper competition. Acting Chairman Michael Copps told the broadband Industry the news and said the FCC’s bureau on competition will begin the investigation.

Other Stories We’re Following

DOD warns against the dark side of social networking (GCN)

Dispute Erupts Over Bailout Inspector General’s Independence (WashingtonPost)

FDA renews Rockville lease (WashingtonBusinessJournal)

FBI: Child porn on accused museum shooter computer

Suit accuses TSA of unreasonable airport detention

TSA Applicant Says HIV Cost Him a Job (WashingtonPost)

City Workers Ordered to Wear Underwear (Lowering the Bar)

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