1) TSC IO and my Senator' office confirmed that Name Check Pending cases are being assigned to an officer AND pre-adjudicated (i.e. assigned a Visa #!!!)
if:
Case has been pending 180 days at the x-fer'd service center
&
Finger Print results have been received and are good
2) Richard Powers, FBI's Assistant Director of congressional affairs office confirmed that they are expediting cases as they come in from various Representatives and Senators offices - BUT - these expedite requests themselves have a backlog as well! It is approximately a month and a half long backlog.