On Tuesday, December 10, the Senate completed a series of procedural votes on the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), voting 57-41 to confirm Rep. Watt as Director of the FHFA. The vote broke mostly along party lines. As Director, Rep. Watt has the authority to establish … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Two Senators Call for Acting DHS Inspector General to Step Down Since June 2012, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Inspector General Charles K. Edwards has been the subject of a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management inquiry related to charges of nepotism and misuse of government … Continue Reading
Executive and Legislative Branch Activity Egypt The State Department continues to call for an end to perceived arbitrary arrests in Egypt. Despite reported calls in Egypt by Islamists and the opposition for U.S. Ambassador Ann Patterson to leave Cairo, the State Department maintains its support for the embattled veteran Foreign Service officer. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Secretary of Homeland Security After Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano’s announcement last week that she will be stepping down from her position, it remains unclear who will be chosen to replace her as the head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Several names have been mentioned in connection with a possible … Continue Reading