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Lawmakers push for probe into Pentagon’s telecom security failures after historic cyberattack

December 5, 2024 probe, into, Push, historic, Cyberattack, Pentagon's, failures, telecom, after, security, Lawmakers0 comment

In the wake of what some lawmakers are calling the worst telecom attack in the nation’s history, two senators are calling for an investigation into whether the Defense Department could use its purchasing power to better secure telephone communications from foreign spies. In a Wednesday letter to DoD Inspector General Robert Storch, Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), said the Pentagon, despite being one of the largest buyers of wireless telephone services in the country, has failed to leverage its significant purchasing power to require better cybersecurity practices…

VA updates FY 2025 health care budget shortfall to $6.6B, nearly half its previous estimate

December 1, 2024 2025, Updates, Previous, Estimate, shortfall, $6.6B, budget, health, care, half, Nearly0 comment

The Department of Veterans Affairs is cutting its request for additional funding by almost half after officials told lawmakers last week that a shortfall in its health care budget wasn’t as severe as earlier estimates showed. The VA is now asking Congress for a $ 6.6 billion supplement to its fiscal 2025 budget to keep providing more health care to more veterans than ever before. Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal said in an interview Tuesday that the PACT Act, which expands eligibility for VA health care and benefits to…

After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoff

November 27, 2024 agreement, begin, formal, transition, after, handoff, Biden, House, White, Signs, Delay, Trump0 comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday reached a required agreement with President Joe Biden’s White House to allow his transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The congressionally mandated agreement allows transition aides to work with federal agencies and access non-public information and gives a green light to government workers to talk to the transition team. But Trump has declined to sign a separate agreement with the General Services Administration that would have given his team access to secure government…

What to know about Pam Bondi, Trump’s new pick for attorney general

November 23, 2024 attorney, trumps, Bondi, about, know, pick, general0 comment

NEW YORK (AP) — Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, was chosen by Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general hours after his first choice, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration after a federal sex trafficking investigation and ethics probe made his ability to be confirmed dubious. The 59-year-old has long been in Trump’s orbit and her name had been floated during his first term as a potential candidate for the nation’s highest law enforcement role. Trump announced his plans to nominate Bondi Thursday in a social media post.…

Trump chooses TV doctor Mehmet Oz to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

November 19, 2024 Trump, doctor, Centers, Chooses, Mehmet, Medicare, lead, Medicaid, services0 comment

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former television talk show host and heart surgeon, to head the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans and selected Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick to lead the Commerce Department. “Dr. Oz will be a leader in incentivizing Disease Prevention, so we get the best results in the World for every dollar we spend on Healthcare in our Great Country,” Trump said in a statement. “He will also cut waste…

And old health network is about to get a shot in the arm

November 15, 2024 about, Network, shot, health0 comment

For the first time in decades, the Health and Human Services department plans to shake up an obscure system. It’s the one controlling human organs destined for transplant patients. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network serves some 100,000 patients and their families and officials say it’s overdue for modernization. The Federal Drive with Tom Temin got more details from the administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, Carole Johnson. Interview transcript: Tom Temin And you’re kind of like the small agency does so much that nobody has heard of…