There was a slight easing in the standoff between President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday over dozens of unfilled federal leadership positions. The Senate confirmed federal judge Mark Filip yesterday as the Justice Department’s No. 2 official. The Wall Street Journal’s John D. McKinnon reports that Bush promised Reid that if the Senate confirmed Filip, Bush would nominate more Democrats. McDinnon writes that the deal is limited in scope but “reduces the risk that several major agencies would cease to function at the highest levels.”  Read McKinnon here

The Washington Post’s Dan Eggen interviews a whistleblower at the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms who says he was denied his customary bonus after he blew the whistle. Former ATF Deputy Director Edgar A. Domenach has filed a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, an independent executive branch agency dedicated to investigating charges of abuse against federal employees. (more…)

The Washington Independent’s Arthur Allen reports that it can.  Allen interviewed more than a dozen scientists and employees at the CDC who say a constant turnover in personnel coupled with interference  by CDC director Julie Gerberding in science-based decisions has undermined their work.  Eight of ten top CDC scientists have left the agency since Gerberding took over in 2002.  One insider notes that “Julie Gerberding wanted a centralized chain of command, and she’s gotten that. She didn’t like a lot of the leadership, and she got rid of them…I guess it’s worked for her.” Citing problems with areas as diverse as immunization safety and hospital hygiene, Allen asks – does it work for America?  Read Allen here.