Moira Mack

Obama Expels BP, Record Number of Firms From Contracting

The Obama administration has temporarily barred more than 3,800 contractors from winning new federal work so far in 2012, the most on record.

Agency’s Las Vegas Bash Spurs Cutback in Government Conferences

U.S. government agencies have canceled dozens of conferences and pared down other events following a scandal over a General Services Administration bash in Las Vegas.

Obama Pro-Business Regulation Push Reaps No Political Dividends

Barack Obama boasts that he’s issued fewer rules than George W. Bush, and his officials say regulatory rollbacks are expected to save more than $10 billion.

Republicans Use Solyndra to Bash Obama’s Plan

House Republicans used a hearing on Solyndra LLC’s slide into bankruptcy to attack the Obama administration’s stimulus plans, past and proposed, showing the issue may linger as a political liability for the White House.

FDA Aide Joins Industry to Push Stalled Food Regulations

Food companies, consumer groups and even a senior administration official are pressuring the White House to announce new food safety regulations that were mandated by law to be released more than four months ago.

Solyndra Report Ending U.S. House Probe Fuels Campaign Rhetoric

U.S. House Republicans have closed their 18-month investigation of Solyndra LLC’s loan guarantee after issuing three subpoenas, conducting five hearings and reviewing than 300,000 documents. Now, the issue lives on in the presidential campaign.

Budget Aide Warned Deal to Save Solyndra May Cost U.S. More

A White House budget official warned a last-ditch Energy Department plan to save Solyndra LLC from collapsing could end up costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars more than letting the company close, according to a report by the Republican-led House Energy Committee.

Veterans Agency Broke Law in Contract Awards, U.S. Watchdog Says

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs violated a 2006 law that directs the agency to favor small businesses led by veterans, a government watchdog agency ruled for the third time in six months.

Advocacy Group Sues Obama Administration Over Solyndra Documents

A Washington-based advocacy group said it sued the Obama Administration seeking documents related to a $535 million federal loan guarantee for failed solar-panel manufacturer Solyndra LLC.

"With one in six federal dollars going to contractors and grantees, we have an ongoing responsibility to ensure taxpayer dollars are not at risk for waste, fraud and abuse."

- Moira Mack on Dec 19, 2012

Washington

California

Barack Obama

Justice Department

U.S. Mint Sales of Gold Coins at Three-Year High on Price

Pound Gains on U.K. GDP as Europe Stocks Rise With Gold

Gold Rout for Central Banks Buying Most Since 1964: Commodities

Olam Survives as Short-Seller Block Proves Investors’ Friend

Asia Stocks Near Two-Year High as Investors Weigh Results