Archive for May 2012

Big companies in big trouble

May 15, 2012 - 01:30 PM
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JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon continues to play clean-up days after acknowledging a $2 billion trading mistake. On Sunday, he accepted blame during a TV interview. On Monday, JPMorgan said goodbye to a top executive. On Tuesday, Dimon faced another harsh audience -- company shareholders.

For the latest on that and other big business blunders, Capital Insider spoke with Washington Post Financial Reporter Ylan Mui.

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East Coast anti-missile site indicative of larger budget impasse

May 15, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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The House is expected to vote this week on this year's defense policy bill. Republicans want to add to the overall defense budget and offset the increases largely by reducing spending on domestic programs for the poor.

CQ Roll Call's John Donnelly outlined one proposal included in the defense policy bill -- $100 million for an anti-missile site on the East Coast -- with Capital Insider.

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"That was the week that was"

May 14, 2012 - 01:30 PM
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Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney finds himself dogged on the campaign trail by allegations of bad behavior in high school -- roughly 50 years ago.

Romney spent the weekend in Charlotte, N.C. and Lynchburg Va. Trying to get back on message. His speech at Liberty University drew a sharp contrast with President Obama days after Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Erikka Knuti discussed bullying allegations and other issues on Capital Insider.

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Sammies finalist created National Disaster Medical System

May 14, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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The Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit based in Washington, announced 33 finalists for the Service to America Medals. The 'Sammies' honor federal employees who have shown a commitment to public service and made the government they work for stronger.

Dr. H. Allen Dobbs, chief medical officer for the National Disaster Medical System at the Department of Health and Human Services, is a finalist for the Career Achievement Medal. He spoke about his work on Capital Insider.

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The importance of Public Service Recognition Week

May 11, 2012 - 02:00 PM
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After a spending scandal at the General Services Administration, Secret Service shenanigans in Columbia, and calls in Congress for pay cuts, federal employees could use a break.

Enter 'Public Service Recognition Week,' a time when the leaders of federal agencies are asked to pat their staff on the back. Tom Fox, Federal Coach columnist for the Washington Post, discussed the importance on Capital Insider.

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Federal inmate wins 4 of 10 votes in W.Va. democratic primary

May 11, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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The focus of presidential politics has moved to general election style campaign stops by GOP Candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, but primaries in some states are still underway.

That was the case in West Virginia this week. The results of their democratic presidential primary might surprise you. Four in ten voters preferred Keith Judd, a federal inmate, over Obama.

David Cantanese, author of the blog 'Essential Intelligence from the Campaign Trail' on Politico.com, discussed the results on Capital Insider.

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Three in four federal agencies report IT concerns for financial reporting

May 10, 2012 - 04:00 PM
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Over the past six years, the number of cybersecurity incidents reported by federal agencies has increased 680 percent. Greg Wilshusen, director of information security issues at the Government Accountability Office, discussed the results of a new study on Capital Insider.

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Economic turmoil in Europe threatens U.S. stability

May 10, 2012 - 03:00 PM
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National Security depends, in large part, on the economy. Troubling new factors overseas could impact markets in the United States. England is in a recession, France is in political turmoil, and Greece is fighting austerity measures. Col. Douglas MacGregor (U.S. Army, ret.) discussed those issues on Capital Insider.

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Senate extends congressional stalemate over student loans

May 10, 2012 - 02:00 PM
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The student loan rate issue has been one of President Obama's favorites on the campaign trail this month. He turned to it again on Tuesday during a visit to State University of New York in Albany.

"Before they do anything else, Congress needs to keep student loan rates from doubling for students who are here and all across the country," Obama said.

The Senate did not heed those words and voted largely along party lines against starting debate on legislation drafted by the Democrats. If the stalemate continues, students will pay the price this July.

CQ Roll Call Education Reporter Lauren Smith offered analysis on Capital Insider.

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FCC and incentive auctions of wireless spectrum

May 10, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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In February of 2011, President Obama announced an initiative to expand wireless coverage to 98-percent of Americans. He called for major investments including $5 billion for rural broadband, $3 billion for wireless innovation, and more than $10 billion for a wireless public safety network.

Fmr. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), now with Sidley Austin in Washington, discussed U.S. progress on Capital Insider.

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CIA prevents new underwear bomb plot

May 8, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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The CIA has prevented what they called an ambitious plot by Al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen. The plot was an upgrade of the underwear bomb that failed to detonate on an airliner over Detroit in December of 2009.

The new bomb was also designed to be used in a passenger's underwear. U.S. Officials say Al Qaeda developed a more refined detonation system.

The FBI has examined the device to see if it could pass through airport security systems. The device did not contain metal, but it's not clear whether or not it could be detected by new body scanners.

Officials said the would-be bomber had yet to pick a target, buy a plane ticket, let alone enter a U.S. airport before officials seized the bomb. They have assured the public it poses no threat. No changes have been made to airport security procedures.

Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer offered analysis on Capital Insider.

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Same-sex marriage, DOMA, and federal workers' rights

May 8, 2012 - 12:45 PM
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President Obama's election-year position on gay marriage came under new scrutiny on Monday -- following mixed signals from top members of his administration.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan broke rank, stating his support for same-sex marriage one day after Vice President Joe Biden did the same on national television.

Obama aides say the remarks signal individual viewpoints and his position is "evolving."

Joe Davidson, Federal Diary columnist for the Washington Post, offered analysis on the civil rights debate and how it applies to federal workers.

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'That was the week that was'

May 7, 2012 - 01:15 PM
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Last week, the Washington Post released a new poll, showing President Barack Obama with a seven-point lead over likely GOP Nominee Mitt Romney in Virginia. That's the same margin Obama enjoyed in 2008. Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler and Republican Strategist Mercedes Schlapp discussed on whether or not Romney can close the gap and other trending political topics on Capital Insider.

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JSHS celebrates 50th, hosts creator of Watson computer

May 7, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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Every year, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force sponsor a scientific program in Bethesda and invite hundreds of the brightest young minds from across the country. It's called the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. This year, they celebrated a 50th anniversary. Louie Lopez, manager of the Army Education Outreach Program, discussed its purpose on Capital Insider.

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Osama Bin Laden documents released

May 4, 2012 - 01:15 PM
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The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point analyzed tens of thousands of electronic and paper documents once in the possession of Osama Bin Laden. They released 17 on Thursday. The documents depict a leader frustrated with the network he created but committed to another grand attack on the United States. Fmr. Defense Department Spokesman J.D. Gordon discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

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Women, politics, and the income gap

May 4, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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They're two of the top issues of this year's presidential campaign: women and business. This week, Mitt Romney courted voters concerned with both. The likely Republican nominee kicked of his Virginia campaign at a female-owned business in Chantilly, in front of a stage of women, and introduced by his wife. The speech happened ahead of Saturday's conference, "Women Leading the Future," in Chevy Chase. Co-organizer Lindsey Mask discussed the changing role of women on Capital Insider.

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Future of USA-Vietnam trade tightropes on the whiskers of a catfish

May 3, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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For fans of Southern cuisine, there are few dishes better than a little blackened catfish served with a side of fries. In Congress, that dish is leaving a bitter taste in some lawmakers' mouths. A possible provision in the 2012 farm bill pits Republicans against members of their own party and the Obama administration against catfish farmers. David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, discussed the debate on Capital Insider.

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Congress distracted from agency budgets by recent scandals

May 3, 2012 - 12:45 PM
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The Secret Service started closing ranks this week, after two weeks of disturbing revelations tied to a prostitution scandal. The Associated Press reports former agents have been instructed to stop talking to reporters while others are closing their Facebook accounts. A dozen agents who travelled to Columbia, ahead of a visit by President Obama, were implicated in the scandal. Eight have been forced from their jobs. That scandal and the General Services Administration conference in Las Vegas have distracted Congress from other issues -- namely agency budgets. Federal News Radio Host Francis Rose discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

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Tareq Salahi: "I'm not going to put up with grandstanding by Cuccinelli anymore"

May 2, 2012 - 01:15 PM
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On November 5th, 2013 the Commonwealth will elect a new governor. Term limits will keep current Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) from running again. To date, three Republicans hope to succeed him: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, and Tareq Salahi. Each candidate needs to collect 10,000 signatures before the June primary. Salahi declared his candidacy last week. On Tuesday he discussed his decision to run with Capital Insider.

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President Obama makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

May 2, 2012 - 01:00 PM
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President Barack Obama is expected to arrive back home in Washington on Wednesday following a surprise visit to Afghanistan. Obama signed an agreement with Afghanistan's president to keep the U.S. in the country until 2024, training Afghan troops and working counter-terrorism after American combat soldiers leave in 2014. Col. Douglas MacGregor (U.S. Army, ret.) discussed the diplomatic, security, and political implications on Capital Insider.

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