Federal Eye - January 18, 2009

LaHood Officially in the Driver's Seat

Ray LaHood, with family and friends looking on, took the oath of office today at DOT headquarters. (Photo by Dept. of Transportation) Who said Fridays aren't productive? The Department of Transportation got a new boss today when former Illinois...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 23, 2009; 4:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Agencies and Departments, Revolving Door
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When Will We Get Inside Lady Liberty's Head?

In what would be a reversal of current policy, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar seemed to all but reopen the Statue of Liberty's crown to public access today, but said the Interior Department would wait for the results of a feasibility...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 23, 2009; 3:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Agencies and Departments
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GAO's 'High Risk' List Comings and Goings

One of the more Eye-raising findings in the General Accountability Office's new "high risk" report is how long some issues have appeared on the list, which was first published in 1990. This chart from the GAO report demonstrates how long...

By Paul Volpe | January 23, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Agencies and Departments, Congress, Oversight
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Obama Names Acting EEOC Chair

From The Eye's colleague Steve Vogel: Stuart J. Ishimaru, the new acting chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Stuart J. Ishimaru, the senior Democrat on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was appointed acting chairman of the body yesterday...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 23, 2009; 11:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Administration, Revolving Door
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Eye Opener: Jan. 23, 2009

Happy Friday! President Obama now has nine of his 15 cabinet secretaries confirmed, as the Senate last night confirmed Shaun Donovan to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development and installed former Illinois congressman Ray LaHood (R) at...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 23, 2009; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Eye Opener
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Salazar Challenges Obama to Basketball Game

A formal welcoming ceremony and Q&A session Thursday turned into a basketball recruiting session for Interior Sec. Ken Salazar as he met with the rank-and-file at the department's headquarters. After some opening remarks, the secretary fielded several questions on...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 23, 2009; 6:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Administration, Agencies and Departments
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Clinton Arrives at State Dept.

It must have felt like deja vu all over again for Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton during her arrival this morning at the State Department: hundreds of people greeted her with loud cheers, smiles and cellphone cameras. She worked a...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 22, 2009; 4:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Administration, Agencies and Departments
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GAO's New 'High Risk' List a Kick in the Government's Pants

Today the General Accountability Office released its review of the federal government’s "high risk" areas, a biennial report card released at the start of each new Congress that lists what it considers serious weaknesses in government programs, practices and offices....

By Ed O'Keefe | January 22, 2009; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Agencies and Departments, Oversight
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New Presidential Portraits Coming Soon

The new official portraits of President Obama and Vice President Biden that will hang in federal government buildings nationwide and around the world. Framed photographs of President Obama and Vice President Biden will soon replace shots of former president...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 22, 2009; 6:31 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Administration
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Madam Secretary

Hillary Rodham Clinton was sworn in today as Secretary of State by Kathleen Oberly, Associate Judge, District of Columbia Court of Appeals. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Senate) Hillary Rodham Clinton became the 67th Secretary of State during a...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 7:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Administration, Revolving Door
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New Obama Orders on Transparency, FOIA Requests

In a move that pleased good government groups and some journalists, President Obama issued new orders today designed to improve the federal government's openness and transparency. The first memo instructs all agencies and departments to "adopt a presumption in favor"...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 5:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
Categories: Administration, Agencies and Departments, What Would You Do?
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Paulson Goes Back to School

Former Treasury Sec. Hank Paulson is headed to the classroom. Former Treasury Sec. Hank Paulson will get only a few days rest from handling the financial crisis before he starts his new job. Paulson is set to join the...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 4:16 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Administration, Revolving Door
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First Day for Several Cabinet Secretaries

Several cabinet secretaries started their new jobs today on the first full day of the Obama administration. So far only Interior Sec. Ken Salazar has been greeted by a formal welcoming ceremony at his new place of employment. Over at...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 3:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Administration
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Salazar Names Strickland Chief of Staff

Sec. Ken Salazar was greeted by Interior Secretary staffers this morning in the lobby of the department's headquarters. (Photo by AP) Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced this morning that former U.S. attorney and Colorado Senate candidate Tom Strickland will...

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 1:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Agencies and Departments
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Memos Announcing Departure of FEMA Chiefs

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison and deputy administrator Harvey E. Johnson Jr., worked through this morning in order to assure a seamless, safe transition. FEMA released farewell memos for Paulison and Johnson this morning: R....

By Ed O'Keefe | January 21, 2009; 11:24 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Administration, Agencies and Departments, Revolving Door
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Federal Eye: January 18, 2009 - January 24, 2009