Federal Computer Week; 4/30/2014, Vol. 28 Issue 6, p16-20, 5p
Subjects
UNITED States federal budget, PUBLIC spending laws, UNITED States legislators, FEDERAL budgets, and INTRA-party disagreements (Political parties)
Abstract
The article discusses the continuing problems between Congress and White House on budget and governing process with appropriation bills unlikely to be settled until after the elections when Republicans hope to take control of the Senate and increase their leverage. It notes how oversight hearings in Congress have become partisan hits instead of offering constructive assistance for agencies or programs. It indicates that lawmakers have repeatedly flinched at essential decisions to reduce bases. INSET: EPA and Congress clash over regulatory authority.
Mosquera, Mary, Chan, Wade-Hahn, Bain, Ben, Weigelt, Matthew, and Miller, Jason
Federal Computer Week; 12/17/2007, Vol. 21 Issue 40, p46-48, 3p, 7 Color Photographs
Subjects
UNITED States politics & government, INFORMATION technology, NATIONAL security, and SECURITY management
Abstract
The article focuses on information technology policies in the U.S. in 2007. The government consolidated information technology platforms and data centers of large agencies in an effort to improve security and reduce costs. The failure of the U.S. Congress to pass a budget as scheduled in the latter part of the year prompted agencies to scale back operations. Real time, continuous monitoring of security controls has gained attention as a means for complying with the Federal Information Security Management Act.
Federal Computer Week; Jan/Feb2017, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p18-19, 2p
Subjects
GOVERNMENT spending policy, HOLMAN rule (U.S.), and WAGE decreases
Abstract
The article discusses the aim of U.S. Congress for slashing the pay of individual federal workers by targeting the salaries of individual agency employees and mentions the adoption of the Holman Rule; rules for cutting the salary of government employee; and history of Holman's.
Federal Computer Week; 10/30/2012, Vol. 26 Issue 18, p20-22, 3p
Subjects
UNITED States Congressional committees, VISIBILITY, and HONESTY
Abstract
The article offers tips on how to testify before a congressional committee. According to the article, the cardinal rule to testifying before a congressional committee is honesty and directness and with some preparations a witness can stay focused under fire. Items discussed include assessing one's visibility, building relationships with congressional staff prior to testifying, doing homeworks and practicing and documenting one's case.
Federal Computer Week; 7/15/2014, Vol. 28 Issue 11, p18-22, 5p
Subjects
FINANCIAL management and GOVERNMENT agencies
Abstract
The article presents perspectives from the U.S. Congress concerning the role of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Topics discussed include the GAO's report to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee exposing the financial management problems and outdated inventory systems of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and the need for the GAO to provide timely reports to Congress to ensure relevant and balanced oversight of federal agencies.
Federal Computer Week; 7/30/2016, Vol. 30 Issue 12, p8-8, 2/3p
Subjects
ECONOMIC competition, GOVERNMENT agencies, FEDERAL employees (U.S.), and PRIVATE sector
Abstract
The article reports on the U.S. Congress' deliberation on the possible revision of the Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-76 in order to lift a moratorium on public/private competition that started in 2009. Topics covered include the circular's requirement for federal agencies to prepare inventories of inherently governmental activities to be performed by federal employees and those that can be performed by the private sector.
Federal Computer Week; 6/28/2004, Vol. 18 Issue 21, p8-9, 2p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
UNITED States appropriations & expenditures, INFORMATION technology, PUBLIC spending, GOVERNMENT agencies, PUBLIC administration, and PUBLIC finance
Abstract
This article reports on the decision of the U.S. Congress to cut funds for specific electronic-government initiatives from agency spending bills within the country as of June 2004. For three years running, Congress have rejected the proposed central electronic-government fund by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. So in 2004, the administration officials decided to forgo a central fund and asked agencies to find electronic-government funds in existing budgets. The House appropriations bill for the Interior Department includes language blocking funds for several electronic-government initiatives and strongly denounces the current approach to managing the initiatives. According to John Scofield, officials from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget took an alternative approach to funding the initiatives after officials failed to gather congressional support for central electronic-government funds. In fiscal 2004, the Congress allotted $ 3 million, much less than the requested $ 45 million. In response, the administration requested $ 5 million for fiscal 2005, which would be supplemented by agency services fees. Although the bill indicates that the funding cannot come from Interior and related agencies, it sets the precedent for other appropriations subcommittees.
Federal Computer Week; 12/8/2003, Vol. 17 Issue 42, p24, 2/3p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
INFORMATION technology and UNITED States Congress appropriations & expenditures
Abstract
Comments on the fiscal 2004 appropriations by the U.S. Congress in the field of information technology (IT). National Security Agency IT programs; Budget received by the Office of Management and Budget's e-government; Budget for the electronic records program of the National Archives and Records Administration.
Federal Computer Week; 8/21/2006, Vol. 20 Issue 28, p52-53, 2p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
INTERNET in public administration, INFORMATION technology, PRESIDENTS of the United States, and COST effectiveness
Abstract
The article reports that the U.S. Congress has wanted to see if the e-government and lines-of-business initiatives by the administration of President George W. Bush are saving money. Although the initiatives are making greater efficiency and improving services to citizens, cost savings are not as easy to show. E-government is another means for citizens and government to interact and communicate, beyond face-to-face meetings, mail exchanges and phone conversations. The U.S. Congress is unlikely to cut funding for those more traditional methods to make room for such initiatives.
Federal Computer Week; 3/30/2016, Vol. 30 Issue 4, p3-3, 2/3p
Subjects
INFORMATION technology, UNITED States federal budget, and PERCEIVED benefit
Abstract
The article reports on the concerns raised by the U.S. Congress regarding the Information Technology Modernization Fund to be managed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Topics discussed include the budget request submitted by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama for fiscal year 2017, the perceived benefits of the Fund to agencies according to GSA Administrator Denise Turner Roth, and highlights of the February 2016 House Appropriations hearing on the funding issue.
INTERNET in public administration, UNITED States legislators, and BUDGET
Abstract
This article reports that U.S. lawmakers continue appropriating only a small amount of the administration's online government fund request in the fiscal 2005 spending bill, as of December 2006. For fiscal 2005, administration officials requested $5 million in directly appropriated funds and authority to use $40 million in federal agency fees collected by the General Services Administration (GSA). But lawmakers appropriated $3 million, and they rejected the administration's request for permission to draw from the GSA fund. Lawmakers have appropriated $16 million for the online government fund since fiscal 2002, which is far less than the amount the administration officials originally sought: $100 million over three years.
Federal Computer Week; 1/31/2011, Vol. 25 Issue 2, p34-34, 3/4p
Subjects
FEDERAL employees (U.S.), CONTRACTING out, and CIVIL service furloughs
Abstract
The article presents comments by several U.S. federal employees on FCW.com regarding the U.S. Congress' plan of furloughs and staff reductions. A reader stresses that the pay freeze equates to a pay cut and questions how the two-week furlough will help the U.S. economy recover. Meanwhile, another worker suggests outsourcing the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House.
UNITED States federal budget, APPROPRIATIONS & expenditures of the United States Dept. of Defense, and UNITED States appropriations & expenditures
Abstract
Reports on the disagreement between the U.S. House and Senate in setting the fiscal 2004 IT budget for the Defense Department. Proposal of the House Armed Services Committee to cut the department's IT budget; Increase authorized by the Senate Armed Services Committee from the government's budget request; Opinion of Representative Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.) on the issue.
Federal Computer Week; 5/16/2005, Vol. 19 Issue 15, p11-11, 1/3p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
UNITED States appropriations & expenditures, DRIVERS' licenses, and NATIONAL security
Abstract
This article reports on the passage of an $82 billion supplemental spending measure that includes driver's license reforms which would mandate minimum federal security standards for identity cards in the U.S. Senate. Earlier in May 2005, the U.S. House approved the measure to authorize supplemental funding for the U.S. Defense Department by a 268-58 vote. Under the Real ID Act, driver's licenses and personal identification (ID) cards must include the cardholder's legal name, date of birth, address, gender, signature, card number, digital photograph, physical security features to prevent tampering and common machine-readable technology with defined minimum data elements. State motor vehicle administrators must verify the validity of at least four feeder documents, such as a Social Security card or passport, before issuing driver's licenses or personal ID cards. By September 11, 2005, states must sign a memorandum of understanding with the Homeland Security Department to use automated Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements systems to verify that a driver's license applicant who is not a U.S. citizen is in the country legally. States must also take digital photos of applicants and electronically exchange driver histories with other states.
Federal Computer Week; 4/5/2004, Vol. 18 Issue 9, p8-8, 1p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
GOVERNMENT programs, PUBLIC administration, ADMINISTRATIVE law, and UNITED States appropriations & expenditures
Abstract
This article reports on the proposed creation of a Congressional Office of Program Performance (COPP) to review the ratings the U.S. Office of Management and Budget give programs using the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART). Program performance information would not really matter if Congress does not use it. The Government Performance and Results Act requires that performance data be reported. The examination of the act points the finger at Congress and many experts are urging lawmakers to provide input into the program ratings and linking the ratings to budget decisions. COPP would also conduct independent program reviews, allowing a healthy debate on program effectiveness and helping lawmakers sort through the volumes of performance data to make better budget decisions. Representative Tod Platts said he hesitates to embrace the proposal because the PART review process is still being refined. He proposed legislation to mandate five-year project reviews. Once the process is improved and made permanent, officials can decide whether a separate review office is necessary. Scott Cameron, deputy assistant secretary at the Interior Department, agreed that agency reports provide too much information.
Federal Computer Week; 10/29/2007, Vol. 21 Issue 35, p9-9, 1p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
UNITED States legislators, PUBLIC contracts, GOVERNMENT contractors, FRAUD, and MILITARY budgets -- Law & legislation
Abstract
This article reveals the plan of U.S. lawmakers to address a gap in a final rule on time-and-materials contracts. According to the Senate Armed Services Committee, time-and-materials contracts will enable contractors to defraud the government easily because departments have a difficult time monitoring the work and ensuring that the prices they pay are fair. Under the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, the Department of Defense (DOD) will face limitations from buying commercial items based on time and materials and labor hours except for emergency repairs and for services supporting a commercial item. The DOD has increased its expenditures on such contracts in 2005, claims the Government Accountability Office.
Federal Computer Week; 1/1/2012, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p32-32, 1p
Subjects
CIVIL defense laws, INFORMATION technology, and UNITED States armed forces appropriations & expenditures
Abstract
The article discusses the impacts of the passage of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on the information technology initiatives of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The impacts include on the removal of funds for the Army's enterprise e-mail program and the demise of the plan of DOD to shift to cloud services through the Defense Information Systems Agency. The act will also affect DOD's procurement program because of its sensitivity to turnaround time.
Federal Computer Week; 3/12/2007, Vol. 21 Issue 5, p68-68, 1p, 1 Color Photograph
Subjects
DRIVERS' licenses, IDENTIFICATION cards, NATIONAL security, and UNITED States legislators
Abstract
The article discusses the regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for issuing Real ID cards. The author said federal and state lawmakers are putting up roadblocks that could severely delay or cancel the program, just when the DHS is stepping up its efforts to make driver's licenses more secure. Under the terms, state motor vehicle departments would be required to collect personal information from everyone who applies for a driver's license or identification card and store it in an electronic format.
Federal Computer Week; 3/22/2004, Vol. 18 Issue 7, p12-12, 3/4p
Subjects
NATIONAL security and UNITED States appropriations & expenditures
Abstract
This article reports on the ultimatum issued by lawmakers to the U.S. administration concerning homeland security and grants funding. Although there is a widespread concern that many public safety agencies are not adequately prepared to deal with homeland security, lawmakers are concerned that the administration does not have a clear sense of where more money is needed. House Appropriations Committee chairman Hal Rogers noted that the Homeland Security Department's (DHS) Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) is developing baseline metrics for state and local protection, but officials are not moving fast enough. Rogers asked DHS Secretary Tom Ridge to develop those metrics but he did not receive an answer before the committee started to consider the department's funding. ODP officials have developed a draft of the metrics and should brief Ridge. Metrics are necessary to determine whether first responders are spending money effectively, but at a national scale, they cannot be too specific or based on a one-size-fits-all philosophy. Baseline capabilities for training are much harder to set and many state and local agencies are struggling to put employees through training and exercises despite a lack of funds or tight requirements in the use of federal funds.