Federal Eye - March 21, 2010

Obama issues 15 recess appointments

President Obama issued 15 recess appointments on Saturday, including two picks for the deadlocked National Labor Relations Board. One of the nominees, Craig Becker, is strongly opposed by Republicans.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 27, 2010; 3:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (118)
Categories: Administration, Revolving Door
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Ex-TSA nominee Harding got Army deal after claiming sleep apnea as disability

The decorated general who withrew his nomination to lead the Transportation Security Administration had received a consulting contract worth almost $100 million from the Army after certifying he was a "service disabled veteran," according to documents and interviews with government officials.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 27, 2010; 3:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Revolving Door
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The Federal Eye debunks Census myths on 'Today'

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy The good folks at NBC's "Today Show" caught wind of this video and invited The Eye up to New York to help answer Lester Holt's questions about the...

By Ed O'Keefe | March 27, 2010; 11:22 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Census, Video Report
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Second TSA nominee withdraws his name

The Obama administration's second choice to lead the Transportation Security Administration withdrew from consideration Friday, days after senators questioned his business and personal dealings as a military contractor who provided services ranging from Iraq war interrogators to private guards at the White House.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 27, 2010; 6:04 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Administration, Revolving Door
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Senate passes 'Census mailer' bill

With just six days left until census forms are due back, the Senate approved a measure Friday that bans deceptive mailings that use the word "Census" without a disclaimer.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 26, 2010; 4:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Census, Congress
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Friday Feedback: Five-day mail delivery; stimulus myths; NLRB recess appointments

A sampling of some of the comments from this week's most popular Federal Eye items. The thoughts expressed below do not represent the views of The Federal Eye or The Washington Post

By Ed O'Keefe | March 26, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: About the Blog
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Postal Service ends contracts tied to top official

The U.S. Postal Service confirmed Friday it will not renew two no-bid contracts awarded to former colleagues of a top official.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 26, 2010; 10:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Agencies and Departments
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Eye Opener: Group wants southerners to put 'Confederate Southern American' on the Census

A group of Confederate rights activists is urging southerners with Confederate ancestors to declare themselves "Confederate Southern Americans" on census forms in order to qualify for protections under the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 26, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (75)
Categories: Congress, Revolving Door
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How long does it take to fill out a census form?

Your Browser DoesNot Support IFrames. Watch The Federal Eye test the "10 question, 10 minutes" theory pushed by the U.S. Census Bureau in the video above. He filled out his form last week, with the assistance of his wife, Mrs....

By Ed O'Keefe | March 26, 2010; 5:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Census, Video Report
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Minority groups whip up Census participation

Rap music, free iTunes downloads and smart phone apps are just three of the tools being used to boost minority participation in the 2010 Census.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 25, 2010; 4:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Census
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GOP senators warn Obama of NLRB recess appointment

With the two-week Congressional Easter recess fast approaching, Republican senators warned President Obama Thursday not to use the break to recess-appoint Craig Becker, a Democratic pick to serve on the National Labor Relations Board.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 25, 2010; 12:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)
Categories: Administration, Congress
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Pentagon relaxes 'don't ask, don't tell'

The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will relax enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" rules that prevent gays from serving openly in the military, a decision that officials described as a temporary measure until Congress can take permanent action.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 25, 2010; 10:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Agencies and Departments, Workplace Issues
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Census Bureau may get a headstart on 2020

Starting in 2012, lawmakers want future census directors to serve five-year terms that overlap presidential and congressional election years.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 25, 2010; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Census
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Eye Opener: Vote on TSA nominee delayed

Updated 10:31 a.m. ET Happy Thursday! The Obama administration's pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration will have to wait after the Senate's Easter Recess for an up or down vote on his nomination amid concerns from a leading...

By | March 25, 2010; 6:20 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Confirmation Hearings, Eye Opener
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Google to help track 2010 Census response rates

The U.S. Census Bureau and Google have teamed up to track response rates to the 2010 Census in real time.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 24, 2010; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Census
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Postal Service launches 5-day delivery plan

The U.S. Postal Service moved forward with plans to adopt a five-day delivery schedule, earning formal approval to take the plans to postal regulators and Congress.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 24, 2010; 12:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (82)
Categories: Agencies and Departments
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Cabinet secretaries tied with Final Four picks

Remember last week when we asked Cabinet secretaries for their March Madness Final Four picks?

By Ed O'Keefe | March 24, 2010; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Administration
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Eye Opener: Snow days cost $71M each

Turns out the federal government's February snow days didn't cost as much as initially estimated.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 24, 2010; 6:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Eye Opener
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TSA pick demurs on collective bargaining rights

President Obama's pick to lead the Transportation Security Administration would not say Tuesday whether he supports collective bargaining rights for airport security screeners. The sensitive issue ranks as a major concern of federal worker unions but has ensnared previous TSA administrators.

By Ed O'Keefe | March 23, 2010; 4:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Agencies and Departments, Confirmation Hearings, Workplace Issues
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Federal Eye: March 21, 2010 - March 27, 2010