Vice President Joe Biden was in his usual gaffe mode during the swearing-in proceedings for the new Senate. As an example, when he greeted Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, this conversation ensued: "Gail!", Biden exclaimed. "It's Joni," she said. "My husband's Gail."

A government watchdog concludes that drones are not an economically favorable choice to enforce the security of the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general reports drones cost $12,255 an hour to fly and they have not effectively increased the number of illegal immigrants apprehended.

Federal employees are permitted to pack a lunch to eat at their desks, but they might have to make do with finger foods. The Government Accountability Office has ruled that federal agencies cannot supply workers with "disposable cups, plates and cutlery" because they constitute a personal expense. However, the government sees nothing wrong with spending thousands of dollars for employees to eat fancy meals at taxpayer-supported conferences at plush resorts - with appropriate utensils.