Investigative reporter, Bloomberg Government. I dig in federal contracts awarded under Trump. Ex-@WSJ, @postandcourier, @duluthnews. On Signal.
Washington D.C.
Joined September 2011
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Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
The Army told a defense contractor it didn't wants its trucks. Then its execs steered donations to Sen Collins and other appropriators, and Congress kept the funding alive.
What we can't know is whether the contractor also gave to dark money groups supporting those lawmakers.
DHS needed a contractor. Bidders got 14 minutes.
The agency awarded the work analyzing the Coast Guard's anti-discrimination policy on an unusually compressed timeline, raising concerns from outside experts.
It pulled the job after we called. From me:
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-gove…
Scoop: Oracle CEO Mike Sicilia has agreed to testify before House lawmakers on Nov. 19 over delays in installing new technology at VA hospitals.
He and Larry Ellison were subpoenaed after Oracle skipped a Sept. 2 hearing on the project's rising costs
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-gove…
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
Sen. Susan Collins helped steer millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek, whose CEO illegally funneled thousands of dollars to her campaign.
The FBI sought to launch a probe and was eyeing Collins and other lawmakers.
Then Trump gutted the unit in charge. THREAD 🧵
ALT Martin Kao, CEO of defense contractor Navatek, poses next to Sen. Susan Collins for a photo. Collins is holding a model of a boat in her hands. Behind them is a large sign with the Navatek logo.
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
New: In late 2024, FBI investigators had enough evidence to launch a sweeping bribery probe that could ensnare top lawmakers, including Sen. Susan Collins. Then Trump was reelected and eviscerated the FBI and DOJ teams handling public corruption probes. propub.li/4yLLwaF
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
The Trump administration is hiring private contractors to track down deported migrants who it claims owe the US government hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid penalties bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Is a company with more than $500M a year in revenue a small business? For some firms, yes -- under a new Trump proposal to increase SBA limits for its industry categories.
Small federal contractors who would have to compete against giants are furious.
news.bgov.com/bloomberg-gove…
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
.@SecDuffy notes on @KatieMiller podcast @POTUS negotiated a $200 million discount on key aviation contract: "He called the CEO" and the CEO called back in 8 minutes and agreed to the cut reuters.com/business/aerospa…
New IG report: the contractor hired to answer the VA's suicide hotline as a backup when the main lines were busy didn't hire enough staff to pick up the phone.
Read it here:
vaoig.gov/sites/default/file…
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
Good run-down here on the current legislative state of play from @KatyStech wsj.com/politics/policy/bipa…
SCOOP: I got a hold of the new House bill that would make members of Congress stop trading stocks.
Lawmakers would have 180 days to sell off their stocks. Those who don't face fines.
Supporters say it's the first realistic shot at a ban in a decade:
wsj.com/politics/policy/bipa…
“Don’t you go talking that Epstein down South. No one cares.” That's advice that Rep. Ro Khanna got from a House aide before a swing through South Carolina.
He's glad he ignored it.
My latest on Dems navigating when to bring up Epstein—and when to not:wsj.com/politics/policy/epst…
Katy Stech Ferek retweeted
Bernie Sanders' latest bids to block arms sales to Israel failed tonight in the Senate, but he picked up more votes.
Latest from @KatyStech @SabrinaSiddiqui --> wsj.com/politics/policy/repu…
Trump threw a lifeline to U.S. steel plants. The next day, this Pennsylvania lawmaker’s wife bought their stock.
Details here on the latest news that lawmakers say will drive support for a stock trading ban in Congress:
wsj.com/politics/policy/stoc…
A month into Florida’s six-week abortion ban, Republican Rep. Kat Cammack went to the ER with a deadly ectopic pregnancy and struggled to get prompt care. She blames the left.
My latest exclusive for @WSJ: wsj.com/politics/policy/repu…
President Trump’s dismantling of USAID is rattling Republicans in Congress.
While they blasted the agency for years over spending, they also relied on it to carry out diplomatic efforts they say are critical to U.S. national security.
wsj.com/politics/policy/trum…
A 🧵:
Last week, Rep. Joe Wilson of SC texted a top Trump advisor after several foreign ministers flagged concerns about a tech-focused initiative now in flux. Others worried there aren’t enough people left to carry out life-saving programs that got special permission to continue.
My look with @siobhanehughes and @alexbward into how Republicans are carefully navigating the moment.
wsj.com/politics/policy/trum…