Federal Drive

Wednesday Morning Federal Newsstand

Written by Ruben Gomez Edited by Suzanne Kubota This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED: Hackers knock out several government Web sites here in the U...

Federal News Network Staff

July 8, 2009 7:59 am

2 min read

Written by Ruben Gomez
Edited by Suzanne Kubota

This morning’s federal news as heard on WFED:

Hackers knock out several government Web sites here in the US and abroad. Reports are that the attacks focused partly on agencies responsible for fighting cybercrime. Homeland Security has issued guidance on what agencies can do to mitigate the problem. The attacks started on July 4 and were still causing issues yesterday.

Sen. Susan Collins is calling the results of a congressional report on federal building security “stunning” and “completely unacceptable.” The Government Accountability Office says investigators were able to carry bomb-making materials past security at 10 federal buildings. The report also says the investigators were able construct explosive devices once inside the buildings.

The government’s Program Assessment Rating Tool comes under new scrutiny. A group of good government and watchdog groups are proposing the system be modified, but not scrapped. The recommendations include a set of six principles the groups say are essential to a good performance measurement system.

It’s off to court for a private company whose job it was to speed you thru airport checkpoints. Two law firms have filed a class-action lawsuit against Verified Identity Pass. That firm was the largest operator under the Transportation Security Administration’s Registered Traveler Program. But money problems forced the company out of business last month, and customers are not getting refunds.

The Government Accountability Office expands its presence to Twitter and You Tube. The agency will use the site to announce new documents and reports. GAO says the move is part of an outreach effort to promote federal accountability and transparency.

One step closer to funding the business of Congress next year. The Senate has passed a $3.1 billion dollar Legislative Branch spending bill. The House passed its slightly more expensive version last month. GovExec reports the two bills now go to conference where negotiators will hash out their differences.

Other Stories We’re Following

Traffic Congestion Easing – Except in D.C. (WashingtonPost)

FEMA plans consolidation of IT support contracts (FCW)

FEMA May Be Unable to Provide Emergency Housing After Catastrophe, IG Says (WashingtonPost)

GSA nomination mired in Senate muck (GCN)

Norton wants aggressive GSA leasing (WashingtonBusinessJournal)

IRS temporarily suspends some small business fines

Indictment Charges Civilian Navy Employees and Contractors With Fraud and Bribery (PRNewswire)

Former AG Gonzales to teach at Texas Tech