Federal Daily - July 3, 2008

Executive Order Streamlines Clearance Process

President Bush issued a June 30 executive order aimed at standardizing the delay-plagued security clearance process for federal workers and private contractors. The order calls for an “aligned” system of standards which would apply to all federal agencies conducting background checks prior to granting individuals a security clearance. The order also requires reciprocity among agencies for background investigations and adjudications. Such reciprocity would mean that once cleared by a single agency, a federal worker or contractor could apply that single clearance government-wide. Most agencies do not now accept background checks performed by other federal agencies. “Background investigations and adjudications shall be mutually and reciprocally accepted by all agencies,” the order said. To oversee the reforms, the order also establishes a Suitability and Security Clearance Performance Accountability Council, to be chaired by the Office of Management and Budget deputy director for management, Clay Johnson. To see more, go to:www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080630-6.html.

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Army Affirms Next Rotations into Iraq

The Army on June 30 affirmed the next set of troop rotations into Iraq, planned for the beginning of 2009. The rotations will consist of about 18,000 troops from four brigade combat teams. The teams are: the 1st (Ironhorse) Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; 2nd (Black Jack) Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood; 3rd (Spartans) Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.; and the 56th Brigade (Stryker) Combat Team, (The Associators), Pennsylvania Army National Guard. To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2008/06/30/10503-army-prepares-for-next-rotations-in-iraq.

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DEA Turns 35

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the nation’s top drug-fighting agency, celebrated its 35th birthday on July 1.  In 1973, President Nixon created DEA through an executive order designed to unify federal drug enforcement efforts under a single command. Before the creation of DEA in 1973, multiple law enforcement and intelligence organizations carried out federal drug enforcement policies. John R. Bartels, Jr., a former federal prosecutor, was confirmed as the DEA’s first Administrator on Oct. 4, 1973. At its outset, DEA—which operates under the auspices of the Department of Justice—had 1,470 Special Agents, a budget of less than $75 million, and a presence in 31 countries. Today, DEA employs 5,235 Special Agents, has a budget of more than $2.4 billion and maintains 87 foreign offices in 63 countries, the agency said in a release. To see more, go to: www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr070108.html.

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TSP Monthly Returns for June 2008

Rates of Return were updated on July 1, 2008.

The monthly G, F, C, S, and I Fund returns represent the actual total rates of return used in the monthly allocation of earnings to participant accounts. The returns are shown after deduction of accrued TSP administrative expenses. The F, C, S, and I Fund returns also reflect the deduction of trading costs and accrued investment management fees. The most current G, F, C, S, and I Fund rates of return are shown above. Returns are updated after the monthly allocation of earnings, usually by the fourth business day of the month.

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