Senate Looks To Clean Up Wasteful Gov't Spending On Contractor Bonuses

By Laura Woodhead - Talk Radio News Service

Federal agencies are still not using awards fees as intended despite new guidelines said a group of Senators Monday. Speaking at the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security's hearing on "Eliminating Wasteful Contractor Bonuses", Chairman Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said that he was disappointed that federal agencies are still paying billions in awards fees to contractors that provide less than satisfactory work.

"This situation has caused many of us to question how, during a time when households around the country are tightening their budgets, federal agencies can continue to award extra profit to companies as if it is expected and earned," Carper said.

Though he is a "strong believer" that appropriate incentives lead to better performances, Carper said it simply did not make sense to award bonuses for below standard work.

"It's as if you were at a restaurant and your waiter or waitress forgot your order, spilled your food on you and charged you for items you didn't get. Most of us wouldn't give that person a very big tip. But agencies are giving contractors who perform just as poorly everything they want," he said.

Monday's hearing took place two months before the Office of Management and Budget publishes its final guidelines for awards fees. During his testimony before the subcommittee, Deputy Director for Management at the OMB Jeffrey Zients said that 95% of all awards fees handed out by federal agencies were given by the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Energy (DoE) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Zients added that although some of these agencies, especially the DoD, had made progress, there is still a long way to go.

"I think by DoD’s leadership on this, we know that change can happen and happen quickly," Zients said. "By having those five agencies work closely together to share best practices, best processes, I believe we can quickly improve the situation."

John Hutton, Sourcing Manager at the Government Accountability Office, testified that the method being used to apply award fees is still the biggest concern.

"We have seen the cost plus award fee contracts applied in a way that's not in best interest of tax payers. We found that even in cases were they performed "satisfactorily," one could get 85-90% of award fees. In those situations, what’s left to really incentive contractors' performances?" asked Hutton.

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said that the whole system of awards fees needed to be reassessed rather than just regulated. He said he could not understand how agencies could justify giving "roll overs" in awards fees to contractors even if their previous work had been substandard.

"That's like saying my dog ate my homework but I come back tomorrow and get an A even though i didn't perform the first day," Coburn said.

Napolitano And Others Pass On REAL ID

Annie Berman - Talk Radio News Service

The REAL ID Act of 2005 (REAL ID), which imposes certain security standards for the issuance of state drivers licenses and identification, calls for compliance requirements that are not realistic and must be reformed, says Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano.

As of yesterday, thirteen states have chosen not to comply with the standards of REAL ID because of budget costs and privacy concerns.

Almost every witness who testified at a hearing Wednesday morning suggested that passing the Providing for Additional Security in States Identification Act of 2009 (PASS ID) would be the best way to solve the problems of REAL ID.

“This is an important piece of national security legislation that is designed to help fill the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government set security standards for driver’s licenses,” Napolitano said about the PASS ID.

Just like the REAL ID Act, PASS ID would shift the authority of the states over identification to the federal level. PASS ID would allow for a more cost effective, secure plan towards creating a federal identification system for Americans.

“Privacy is a key driver in states that said ‘no’,” said David Quam, Director of Federal Relations for the National Governors Association.

Inadequate funding seems to be the largest problem with REAL ID. PASS ID would eliminate the development of costly data systems included in the REAL ID program that do not increase security. Instead, states would use existing database systems to verify social security numbers and immigration statuses of anyone whose identity is in question.

“The objectives of REAL ID are laudable but the law represents an unworkable and unfunded mandate that fails to make us more secure,” said Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT).

Douglas also testified that states are having trouble complying with all of the requirements of REAL ID due to the recession.

The REAL ID Act was originally created to counteract terrorists that try to obtain fraudulent identification, just as like the terrorists of September 11, 2001.

Democrats Not Just Focusing Squarely On Health Care Reform

By Aaron Richardson - Talk Radio News Service

On Thursday, Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV), Dick Durban (D-IL), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) said the Senate will be taking up a lot more than just health care in the coming weeks.

Though health care remains a top issue, the Senate is diligently working on the homeland security appropriation bill, the defense authorization bill and the confirmation of Judge Sotomayor. According to Senators Reid and Durbin, these secondary issues are just as important.

“The reason that we’re focusing initially on the homeland security appropriations bill and the defense authorization bill is that we’re concerned about keeping our country safe,” said Reid.

“We have had the chance now (some of us) to consider two or three nominees. I am excited about this opportunity to fill this vacancy early on so that judge Sotomayor, if she’s fortunute enough to be the next justice, and I believe she will be, will be placed on the court in time to consider the September calender,” said Durbin.

Senator Schumer spoke about meetings the finance committee has been holding with regards to passing health care reform.

“We’re going to have to figure out how to pay for health care, and the President insists and both parties insist that it be paid for. We’re going to have to do the majority of it by cost cutting. And we have pretty much agreed on most of the cost cutting part, which is the majority of how to pay for it. But we also need to figure out some revenues.”

Napolitano: U.S. Cracking Down On Borders From North To South

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said that the United States, Mexico and Canada all rely on trade but with the increase in illegal immigration and drug and weapon trafficking, it is time for more modern and safe border security.

Today Napolitano spoke at the 2009 Border Trade Alliance International Conference and addressed not only border security issues but trade issues.

The Border Trade Alliance is a grassroots non-profit that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America.

Before heading to Mexico City with President Obama last week, Napolitano visited several American southern states to address the escalating violence in Mexico and the rise in drug and weapon trafficking among Mexico and the U.S.

Since 2006, when Mexico’s President, Felipe Calderon increased his efforts against drug cartels, more than 10,000 people have been killed in Mexico due to drug-related violence.

Because of the increase in violence at the U.S.-Mexico border, President Obama has dispatched hundreds of federal agents along with high-tech surveillance gear and drug-sniffing dogs, to the Southwest border to help Mexico in it’s fight with drug cartels.

Napolitano said that the U.S. is engaged and focused on border issues not only from a security standpoint but from a trade standpoint.

“The two go together, we cannot separate one from the other,” she said.

Napolitano said the United States is not only working to end illegal immigration, drug and weapon trafficking and unlawful trade with the Mexican government but also with the Canadian government as well.

“We don’t want to appear to go heavy on the southern border and light on the northern border. We will have a balanced approach consistent with effective security for our entire country,” she said.

Napolitano said that the U.S. needs to respect the differences between the northern and southern borders.

“There needs to be a level of parity between the two borders,” she said.

But Napolitano said that the two borders share similar concerns regarding security, trade, illegal entry, and drug smuggling.

“We need to deal with circumstances on the ground. On the southern border it means protecting against drug cartel violence in combating illegal entry.... We’ve added more personal and technology. We’ve created a southbound strategy to stop the flow of guns and bulk cash into Mexico,” she said.

Napolitano said that the U.S. is providing new technology for Canada and have added five new U.S. Customs and Border Protection Marine and air branches, and 24 integrated border enforcement teams that include Canadian law enforcement officials.

“We don’t want to damage economic security in the name of homeland security,” she said.

Napolitano also spoke about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which will require all travelers coming into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and citizenship.

“These are real borders, this is a real law, and I am really charged with implementing it and I take that charge very seriously,” she said.

Although the Mexican and Canadian borders are different in climate and geography, both share a common goal to have a “modern border, an efficient border and a safe and secure border for both people and for commerce," Napolitano said.

38,000 + signatures against Arizona Sheriff brought to DC

by Christina Lovato, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

“All I want to do is except these petitions, welcome you, advise you that the Department of Justice has an investigation going on surrounding activities in Maricopa County and guess what, your not the only ones that have a sheriff that needs to be investigated in this country.” said Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) at a press conference to present a petition of more than 38,000 signatures calling on the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to investigate Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s alleged civil rights abuses.

Arpaio has 2,700 lawsuits filed against him and this month the House Judiciary Committee called for the Justice Department to conduct a federal investigation on Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio's enforcement tactics.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) expressed that the sheriff's tactics are examples of police power and are a violation of federal law. Nadler said, “In 2009, in the United States, we simply cannot tolerate such patterns of discrimination and denial of due process. Sheriff Arpaio’s malicious and vigilante practices are not immigration enforcement.” stated Nadler.

“We carry the burden of being stuck with this man but it is not an Arizona problem, this is a national disgrace...It can’t be tolerated.” said Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.). Grijalva said he never supported the 287(g) program which trains local officers to enforce immigration law. “Put it in the wrong hands, it becomes abusive, discriminatory, and breaks the law and that's what happened here...That particular program, the worst case scenario was in front of you and that Sheriff Arpaio.” he said.

Pablo Alvarado, Executive Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said that the 287(g) program is the Bush Administration’s failed experiment to outsource federal responsibility and expressed that the change we all voted for last November will soon bring order to the broken immigration system. “We must turn the page and we must together restore the nation’s promise for life, liberty and for the pursuit of happiness for all.” concluded Alvarado.