Budget and debt ceiling lessons from 1917
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
FINE PRINT | In past years the country saw a need to pay for its fighting — and everyone chipped in to do their part.
Rob Nabors: President Obama's guy in the weeds
EYE CATCHERS | A few stories the federal workforce shouldn't miss.
Postal employees accept early buyout offer
About 25,500 front-office clerks, mail handlers, drivers and other employees have accepted an early-retirement offerfrom the U.S. Postal Service, among the money-losing agency’s largest efforts in recent years to shed employees.
Supreme Court sides with former federal worker in discrimination appeal
FEDERAL EYE | The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that federal district courts are the appropriate forum for federal employees to appeal decisions involving "mixed cases" involving discrimination claims.
The Federal Diary in the 1970s: Retiree COLA rises 50 percent
When federal worker retirees first began to receive annual cost of living adjustments tied to an inflation measurement formula, some reacted by asking the Post to hush up about it.
Census Bureau considers cost-saving measures
The Census Bureau is considering options for a more cost-effective survey in 2020.
Lawmaker seeks halt to privatization of airport screening operations
Democrat wants scrutiny of privatized airport screening so costs and benefits can be determined.
Survey shows falling satisfaction among feds
FEDERAL DIARY | Pay freezes and budget cuts may not fully explain the degree of discontent among federal workers.
Unusual team opposes Defense cuts
FEDERAL DIARY | Two groups more likely to be found in opposite corners — a federal workers’ union and a contractor organization — join forces to oppose workforce cuts in Senate bill.
In the Loop
Heavy vetting? A law firm can help.
IN THE LOOP | O’Melveny & Myers looks for potential clients among big-time Obama donors.
McCain checks out new digs?
Sen. John McCain was spotted doing an interview in the hearing room of the committee he’s asked to join.
Ambassador chasers?
IN THE LOOP | A powerhouse Washington law firm offers advice to administration jobseekers.
A tale of ‘fiscal cliff’ lobbying
INFLUENCE INDUSTRY | New groups have come on the scene, but others feel a bit left out of talks.
Advocates at odds on campaign finance changes
INFLUENCE INDUSTRY | There are no less than four proposals to fund campaigns with public money; each has its own advocates.
The Obama campaign’s ‘optimizer’
While Romney went for “tonnage,” Obama camp focused on niche markets in its TV advertising.
Congress favors status quo in funding itself
IN SESSION | The Capitol Police and auditors at the GAO would fare well under the House funding bill, while a project to restore the Capitol Dome would take a hit.
No slogan necessary?
The last three minority parties to seize control of the House had platforms to rally around and an opposing-party president in the White House.
Where will Romney find his vice president? Probably on the Hill
Members of Congress have a hard time being elected president, but the No. 2 job tends to come more easily.
A test for Obama’s evolution on gay marriage?
HIGH COURT | The Supreme Court may have made it more difficult for President Obama to avoid taking a stand on whether it is unconstitutional to exclude same-sex couples from the right to marry no matter where they live.
Tidying up the 2012 election
HIGH COURT | The legal battles of the 2012 election will serve as a backdrop for the Supreme Court’s deliberations on at least two cases concerning voting rights.
Court likely to face same-sex marriage
Justices have several cases from which to choose; most involve the Defense of Marriage Act.
A healthy approach to Tricare
FINE PRINT | Effort to cover better autistic care is just one budget issue for program amid “fiscal cliff.”
U.S. overseeing a mysterious construction project in Israel
COLUMN | What’s the purpose of Site 911, a $100 million underground complex?
Can leaders make Gaza cease-fire last?
FINE PRINT | The diplomacy that follows the Gaza accord will test whether a quintet of leaders can find a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian situation.
The Federal Buzz
Will new whistleblower protections work?
Lawmakers are praising the new provision in the Whistleblower Protection Enforcement Act. Will it work?
The Federal Coach
Great leadership books in 2012
For the federal leaders on your holiday list, here are some of my favorite leadership books that came out this year.
Using data to improve government performance
Every federal leader should be honestly and carefully assessing their programs to gauge effectiveness and improve outcomes.
As CEO of the federal government, how will you treat your workers?
Many of our government’s problems and missteps come from a tendency by federal leaders to talk policy and forget operations.
Federal Player
A defender of human rights at the State Department
When she’s not arguing legal cases, Sheth advises officials in Washington and at embassies abroad on human rights issues, particularly in areas affecting women, indigenous peoples and the aging.
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Politics Videos
Pelosi to Boehner: ‘Thank you’ for bringing ‘cliff’ to House floor
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi followed Speaker John Boehner to the House floor to call him to bring forward a bill to extend tax cuts for income less than $250,000. She thanked Boehner for “finally” bringing the “fiscal cliff” negotiations to the floor.
Boehner: ‘When is the President going to get serious?’
VIDEO | Speaker of the House John Boehner updated the House on “fiscal cliff” negotiations Tuesday, saying “the American people have to be scratching their heads,” as to what President Obama is thinking.
59 Seconds: Tuesday, December 11, 2012
VIDEO | The Post’s Emi Kolawole offers news on the X-37B space plane, HSBC, and the real story behind the CIA operative portrayed in “Zero Dark Thirty.”
Obama: Manufacturing ‘growing at fastest pace since 1990s’
At a Diesel plant in Detroit Monday, President Obama said “American manufacturing is growing at the fastest pace since the 1990s,” and credited the recovering economy in part to this boost.
VIDEO | The Washington Post’s Ed O’Keefe interviews Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) about why she’s leaving the Senate, meeting her husband on the Hill and her next steps in politics.
Obama on wealthy Americans: ‘They’re not strapped’
VIDEO | During a visit to Detroit’s Diesel plant on Monday, President Obama warned of tax hikes if Congress does not reach a “fiscal cliff” agreement in the next two weeks.
59 Seconds: Monday, December 10, 2012
VIDEO | The Post’s Katherine Boyle offers news in less than a minute on PSY, the “fiscal cliff,” Egypt and more. All here on weekdays from noon to 2 p.m.
West Virginia Senator angered by new MTV reality show ‘Buckwild’
New MTV reality show "Buckwild" stirring up controversy
Fiscal Cliff Fix: Dealmakers could hold the key to a solution
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza looks at the potential dealmakers in the “fiscal cliff” talks.
Dick Armey weighs in on ‘fiscal cliff’
VIDEO | Former FreedomWorks leader Dick Armey speaks to the "CBS This Morning" co-hosts about the budget battle in Congress to avoid the "fiscal cliff."Elsewhere in Post Politics
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