On the Phone: Josh Hicks, Washington Post Federal Eye Blogger
Topic: A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that President Obama exceeded his constitutional authority by appointing three members of the National Labor Relations Board while the Senate was in recess in January, 2012. The decision is expected to go to the Supreme Court. The decision also jeopardizes the separate recess appointment of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Kayla Williams, Former U.S. Army Sergeant 101st Airborne Division and Truman National Security Project & Center for National Policy – Fellow
Topic: Guest – who served in the U.S. Army and saw combat in Iraq -- will react to the Defense Department’s decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat roles.
Luke Rosiak, Washington Times Investigative Reporter
Topic: Guest will discuss his recent article in The Washington Times about the best and worst bosses on Capitol Hill. Guest will also discuss how pay for congressional staffers impacts the amount of expertise able to be retained on the Hill, among other topics.
Gordon Gee, Ohio State University President and National Commission on Higher Education Attainment Chairman
Topic: A report released Thursday by the National Commission on Higher Education Attainment which calls for raising college graduation rates through a series of extensive reforms, particularly as the college population increasingly includes older and part-time students. Changes include giving students credit for previous learning; easier credit transfers; portfolio assessments or other college equivalency evaluations; more services & flexibility for nontraditional students; & possible innovations online classes.