Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com While many federal agencies are getting the budget ax, the House of Representatives on Thursday approved a nearly $1 billion increase in the Department of Homeland Security’s $39 billion budget, Reuters reports. The Republican-controlled chamber voted predominately along party lines, 245-182. But the budget plan faces a possible veto from President Obama…
Don Gilleland Florida Today In 2008, presidential front-runner Barack Obama called for a “civilian national security force” as powerful as the U.S. military. Nobody seemed to pay much attention to that suggestion at the time. Much has happened since then that should concern us. Recent news reports indicate our Department of Homeland Security has bought…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire The Justice Department faces $1.6 billion in cuts – nearly 10% of it budget – if Congress and the White House can’t reach an agreement on the nation’s spending plan by later today, NPR reports. Obama earlier warned of big cuts to federal law enforcement. “FBI Agents will be furloughed,” Obama warned….
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The Justice Department and FBI warned Thursday that public safety is at risk if across-the-board budget cuts proceed, the Huffington Post reports. The result would be devastating: FBI furloughs would reduce the number of cases the bureau can take; the Justice Department wouldn’t be able to prosecute as many cases; and the…
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The nation’s security is at risk under $85 billion in budget reductions that will go into effect if Republicans and Democrats can’t agree soon on spending cuts, said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, CNN reports. “Sequestration would roll back border security, increase wait times at our nation’s land ports of entry and…
By Danny Fenster ticklethewire.com In an attempt to avoid layoffs and furloughs, ATF will offer approximately 400 buyouts, reports the trade magazine Government Executive. The buyouts will be both at headquarters and field offices. Audrey Stucko, acting director for human resources and professional development, said the move is an attempt to deal with a tight…
By Jeff Stein Spy Talk WASHINGTON — David Frum rightly skewered Republicans for saying the Obama administration isn’t doing enough to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, drugs and guns into the country while proposing a $600 million haircut for Customs and Border Control in the 2012 budget. But you have to wonder whether today’s…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com WASHINGTON — The endless political bickering over the budget could spell trouble for the FBI. ABC News’ Jason Ryan reports that FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III told a Senate committee Wednesday that the government’s current budget crisis could result in the FBI being unable to fill as many as 1,100…
