Defense
Grand jury probe of Iraq inspector general ends without indictment
Federal prosecutors had been investigating allegations by former office employees that Stuart Bowen and his deputy signed off on improper monitoring of employee e-mails.
Oversight
Senator holds out hope for finishing spending bills
Appropriations chairman encourages Senate leaders to finish work on the bills, despite a growing consensus that a stopgap measure will be necessary.
Defense
Defense official says tanker deal may fall behind schedule
The goal is still to make an award by the end of the year, but protests or proposals to use a different aircraft could cause delays.
Pay & Benefits
Postal Service starts discussions on early retirement offers
The agency is required to consult with unions before it can finalize the details of the offers, which it expects to extend to at least 20,000 employees.
Pay & Benefits
Senate appropriators pass 3.9 percent civilian pay hike
Figure is more generous than the raise proposed by Bush, but matches that approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
Oversight
Investigators find Interior contract coding problems
IG uncovers Fortune 500 companies improperly listed as small businesses.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Agencies make dent in external IT network connections
Slow transition to Networx telecom contract could affect progress .
Oversight
Panel moves toward finding Rove in contempt
Lawyer argues that executive privilege gives the former presidential adviser immunity from testifying.
Defense
House panel basses bill aiding severely disabled veterans
Plan would prohibit the collection of co-payments from catastrophically disabled veterans.
News
Senate leader predicts continuing resolution heading into 2009
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., also said he does not expect Congress to come back for a lame-duck session after the November election.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers question Thrift Savings Plan investment strategy
Some call for active rather than passive fund management.
Oversight
House spending bill markups at a standstill
Fight started before the July 4 recess, when Republicans attempted to attach the Interior appropriations bill to the Labor-HHS one.
Defense
Lawmaker assails Pentagon for inaction on contractors
Former Defense official says he personally saw one contractor submit $1 billion in overcharges to the Army.
Pay & Benefits