Congress

• Alex Ward, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council

  Almost all the pieces are in place to move some meaningful defense acquisition reform. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) are the new chairmen of the Armed Services committees in Congress, and they both have a body of work in that subject. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Frank Kendall, are on board with an acquisition overhaul. And the likely nomination of Ash Carter as the new Defense Secretary puts the man behind the Better Buying Power concept at the top job of the Pentagon. Alex Ward is assistant director of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security at the Atlantic Council. He's also my guest for Pentagon Solutions today. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said the anticipation for reform is mostly just hype.

  All News

  January 21, 2015
• House bills slash federal workforce, start possible hiring freeze

  A collection of new House bills aim to slash the federal workforce, let go of 120,000 civilian employees at the Pentagon and take back top secret security clearances for contractors in the intelligence community.

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• Ash Carter may face ‘rocky’ confirmation hearing for Defense secretary

  Despite bipartisan support and years of experience in the Defense Department, Ash Carter's confirmation hearing to be Defense secretary might not be smooth sailing.

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• Questions and answers about the State of the Union address

  By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Anyone who has closely followed President Barack Obama since 2015 opened might wonder what he has left to say Tuesday night when he delivers the annual State…

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• Beyond cyber, feds need to read between SOTU lines

  President Barack Obama focused little on improving government management in his annual speech to Congress. Obama called on Congress to pass cyber legislation and said the administration will release a new report on surveillance and privacy safeguards.

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• New House Armed Services Committee chair vows DoD reform agenda, starting with acquisition

  Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, says defense acquisition reform is an essential element of his agenda. But the approach will be slow and steady.

  Congress

  January 21, 2015
• 5 goals from Obama’s 2014 State of the Union: Yay or Nay?

  By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama used his last State of the Union to declare 2014 a “Year of Action,” and he can claim credit for accomplishing several of the…

  Congress

  January 20, 2015
• Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), Chairman, HASC, and Jim Talent, AEI

  Sequestration, cyber attacks and terrorism are just a few of the concerns that top the list for the 114th Congress. In anticipation of tonight's State of the Union address, the American Enterprise Institute will hold a "congressional roadmap for rebuilding our nation's military" at 10 a.m. Former Sen. Jim Talent is an AEI senior fellow; Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. They joined Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive with a sneak peak at the event.

  Federal Drive

  January 20, 2015
• Mark Goldstein, Physical Infrastructure Issues Director, GAO

  The Homeland Security Department is falling short on securing federal buildings from cyber attack. Your office may be vulnerable to attacks that would keep you from getting in or out, or could make the climate in the building unbearable. It may even encounter other problems that could impact the ability of your agency to meet its mission. Mark Goldstein is director of Physical Infrastructure Issues at the Government Accountability Office. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said building security is far more complicated than it used to be.

  All News

  January 19, 2015
• Air Force to ask for base closures, aircraft retirements despite repeated rebuffs

  As is typical, Defense leaders are not sharing many details about next year's budget proposal prior to its expected February release. But the Air Force is making clear it's gearing up for another fight on BRAC and aircraft divestitures, and thinks it might win this time.

  Budget

  January 19, 2015
• Parents of terror defendant say they saw a change in him

  By DAN SEWELL Associated Press CINCINNATI (AP) — Christopher Lee Cornell showed little direction in his life, spending hours playing video games in his bedroom in his parents’ apartment, rarely going out or working, and…

  Congress

  January 16, 2015
• Julia Ziegler, Web Manager, Federal News Radio

  Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) introduced a bill this week that could have a significant impact on government employees. Instead of the usual, and sometimes forgotten, 1 percent pay increase, Connolly's bill proposes a 3.8 percent pay raise. The question now is will it ever pass? Soon after, federal employees began to speak out about the bill. Web Manager Julia Ziegler joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive to share some of your comments.

  Federal Drive

  January 16, 2015
• House votes to undo Obama immigration actions

  By ERICA WERNER Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Shunning a White House veto threat and opposition within their own party, House Republicans approved legislation Wednesday to overturn President Barack Obama’s key immigration policies and expose…

  Budget

  January 15, 2015
• Which TSP fund is the best option for you?

  Financial planner Arthur Stein joins host Mike Causey to answer your questions about which TSP fund to invest in. January 14, 2015

  Mike Causey

  January 14, 2015