Postal Service Suffers $5.5 Billion Net Loss in 2014
The Postal Service had a net loss of $5.5 billion in FY 2014.
Agency News
Current news impacting federal agencies and the federal employees who work at them.
Administrative Leave for ‘Underperforming’ Feds at Top of Coburn’s Annual Wastebook
Gambling monkeys, massages for rabbits, and paid leave for federal workers who are “underperforming or even engaging in criminal mischief” – these are some of the projects listed in Senator Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) Wastebook 2014, the annual list of wasteful government projects put out by the Senator.
SSDI: A Program Subject to Abuse
A new report from the Office of Inspector General at the Social Security Administration shines the spotlight on the widespread abuse taking place within the Social Security Disability Insurance program and identifies the extent to which the Social Security Administration does or does not have the systems and tools in place to fight fraud and abuse.
House Concerned About Cost of Union Activity at IRS
One of Lois Lerner’s emails that was recently uncovered in the ongoing IRS investigation details how the union prevented disciplinary action from being taken on a non-performing but highly paid IRS employee. The revelation has the House Subcommittee on Oversight concerned about the value the IRS is getting for what it spends on union activity.
IRS Issues Alert About Persistent Scam Phone Calls
The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS.
Elevator Posters and Plastic Squirting Fish: House Investigating ‘Wasteful Spending’ at the DOL
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating what it calls “wasteful spending practices” at the Department of Labor regarding money spent on items such as plastic squirting fish and public relations contests.
House Committee Pushing for Special Counsel in IRS Investigation
The House Committee on Oversight and Government reform sent a letter to Eric Holder again requesting special counsel be appointed in the IRS targeting investigation, citing a new potential conflict of interest the Committee recently learned about.
DoD Violated Laws in Swap of Taliban for U.S. Army Sergeant
According to the GAO, DoD violated the law when it transferred five Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to Qatar for the return of an American Army sergeant.
Half of Senate Makes Request to Block Postal Facility Closures
50 Senators sent a letter to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting that any future legislation prevent the Postal Service from closing or consolidating any more mail processing facilities in FY 2015.
Lerner’s Hard Drive Was ‘Scratched’
Ways and Means Committee investigators have now learned from interviews that the hard drive of former IRS Exempt Organizations Director Lois Lerner was “scratched,” but data was recoverable.
