The Department of Energy created their "Loan Guarantee Program" in 2005. It provides federal support to spur commercial investments in clean energy. The Obama Administration expanded it in 2009 -- under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The DOE came under fire in 2011, when Solyndra filed for bankruptcy and defaulted on a $535 million loan guarantee.

Steve Ellis, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, discussed the program on Capital Insider.

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The Federal Reserve released new data about the American family on Monday. Median wealth dropped at an alarming rate -- from more than $126,000 in 2007 to about $77,000 in 2010.

Washington Post Financial Reporter Ylan Mui discussed that and other business headlines with Capital Insider.

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On Sunday, the heads of the House and Senate intelligence committees said the Justice Department should move quickly and ignore politics as it investigates possible leaks of classified information.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) made those statements on CBS's Face the Nation. Rogers said he will be watching closely for signs of undue political influence.

John Donnelly, editor of CQ Roll Call's "Executive Briefing Defense," discussed the issue with Capital Insider.

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The Partnership for Public Service, a locally-based non-profit organization, announced 33 finalists for the Service to America Medals. The "Sammies" honor federal workers who have shown a commitment to public service and who have made the agency they work for stronger. Joyce Connery, director for nuclear energy policy at the National Security Council, is a finalist for the 2012 National Security and International Affairs Medal. She discussed her work with Capital Insider.

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On Friday, President Obama responded to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and others investigating possible leaks of sensitive information. Obama called it "offensive" and "wrong" to claim that his White House deliberately leaked information to boost his national security credentials.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Erikka Knuti discussed that and other issues on Capital Insider.

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The Mitt Romney camp reports that -- together with the Republican National Committee -- his presidential campaign raised more than $76 million last month. It's the first month the former Massachusetts governor collected more than President Obama ($60 million).

Politico's money and politics reporter, Abby Phillip, discussed the implications and other trending topics on Capital Insider.

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Hosni Mubarak's health continues to deteriorate. Officials at Torah prison in Cairo say doctors frequently administered oxygen to the former president of Egypt this week. They also say Mubarak suffers from breathing problems, high blood pressure, and depression.

Mubarak was sentenced to life in prison last Saturday for failing to prevent the killing of protesters during the Arab Spring.

Meanwhile, Egypt is only days away from a run-off election to determine his successor. Fmr. Defense Department Spokesman J.D. Gordon discussed the election's importance for the Middle East on Capital Insider.

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Over the past two years, tens of thousands of U.S.-led coalition troops flooded Taliban strongholds in South Afghanistan. It was a largely successful effort to boost security.

But the Taliban continue to conduct targeted assassinations of pro-government figures. They claimed responsibility for three suicide-bomb attacks in Kandahar on Wednesday. Twenty-two people were killed when bombs went off in a crowded marketplace.

Dan Lamothe, senior writer for Marine Corps Times, just returned after six weeks living with Marines in Helmand Province. He shared perspective on the U.S. handoff to Afghan forces with Capital Insider.

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In December of 2009, a Nigerian man tried to ignite an explosive device located in his underwear aboard a trans-Atlantic Northwest Airlines flight bound for Detroit. The attempt failed, the bomber hurt only himself, later pled guilty, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

That said, the attempt raised the questions: Why didn't Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab make it to the Terrorist Watchlist despite warnings before his bombing attempt?

Eileen Larence, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office, discussed a new study on the issue with Capital Insider.

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The U.S. has been stepping up drone strikes in Pakistan. Pentagon officials have now confirmed that their latest targeted killing took out Al Qaeda's second in command, Abu Yahya al-Libi. It was the eighth such strike in about one month, according to Pakistani Intelligence.

Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer (U.S. Army Reserve) discussed the problematic U.S. relationship with Pakistan on Capital Insider.

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Congressional gridlock has been a recurring theme in 2012 as House Republicans and the Obama administration position themselves for an election year showdown. That said, Congress has until June 30th to pass some kind of transportation bill. On Tuesday, prospects for a compromise looked pretty bleak.

CQ Roll Call's Transportation Reporter Nathan Hurst discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

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On Tuesday, Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) became the third governor in U.S. history to face a recall vote. The effort to remove him started last year after Walker pushed through a plan to strip public workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights. Walker says he did so to reign in the state budget.

The recall election has national implications. Politico's James Hohmann told Capital Insider it's the second most important race of the year behind the presidential election.

Tonight at 8: The U.S. makes another drone strike as NATO relocates military supply routes. Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer on the Pakistan problem.
Tonight at 8: Will the Keystone XL Pipeline derail the highway bill in the House? We'll ask CQ Roll Call's @NathanHurst.

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The Obama administration warned American businesses on Monday about an unusually potent computer virus that infected Iran's computers and the operations of its oil industry. The Homeland Security Department says, so far, no Flame infections have been found inside the U.S.

Meanwhile, Iran and other countries hold the U.S. responsible for secretly creating and unleashing cyber attacks against foreign countries. It's a hot topic and experts consider American infrastructure to be extremely vulnerable.

Washington Post Reporter Robert O'Harrow Jr. discussed this issue and his continuing series on the topic of cyber security with Capital Insider.

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The Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit based in Washington, announced 33 finalists for the Service to America Medals. The 'Sammies' honor federal employees who have shown a commitment to public service and made the government they work for stronger.

Alice Mullerweiss, dean of the Veterans Affairs Learning University, is a finalist for the Management Excellence Medal. She spoke about her work on Capital Insider.

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The U.S. job market delivered a disappointing report on Friday -- 69,000 new jobs were created in May -- and the unemployment rate increased from 8.1 to 8.2 percent. Overall, the announcement was worse than analysts expected.

Republican Strategist Jack Burkman and Democratic Strategist Richard Fowler discussed the political implications on Capital Insider.

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The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate. Activists say the government is shelling Houla, the site of a massacre last week.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressed the attacks during a speech to reporters in Copenhagen. She says Russia and China need to agree before the U.S. and other nations provide military support to Syria's disorganized rebel force.

Col. Douglas MacGregor (U.S. Army, ret.) discussed the issue on Capital Insider.

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The U.S. housing market keeps giving mixed signals. On Thursday, mortgage rates hit record lows. However, pending home sales and mortgage applications have declined. Home prices are rising at the same time.

Ingrid Beckles, former manager of the default asset management division at Freddie Mac, discussed the up-and-down numbers on Capital Insider.

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