Defense
House panel backs big boost for veterans' programs
Funding would pay for 1,400 more claims processers, above the 703 additional personnel Bush requested to cut the backlog in requests for benefits.
Oversight
OSC chief made subordinate post online rebuttals to news stories
Postings defended Bloch against online articles and comments by readers that he has perceived as negative.
Pay & Benefits
To-Do List
A guide to forms you should gather and things you should do before and after your retirement date.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Health IT office awards contract to fight medical identity theft
National coordinator for health IT asks Booz Allen to analyze prevalence of medical records theft and how to prevent and detect it.
Defense
Positive trends in Iraq belie deeper security challenges, says top military officer
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen says services already are preparing to brief the next president after the elections.
Oversight
Key Bush management initiative called likely to survive transition
Research group predicts "lines of business" effort to consolidate business processes and systems will continue in some form.
Defense
Committee revives debate over green card allocation
Members continue to push legislation that would allow more highly skilled foreign workers into the United States.
News
Air Force concedes mistakes in tanker cost estimates
News of errors in calculating the costs of the competing bids comes as the GAO prepares to rule by June 19 on Boeing protest.
Pay & Benefits
Execs' association calls for pay reform, more career positions
Leaders lay out comprehensive agenda for the next administration.
Defense
Republicans seek hearing on withdrawal of border troops
GOPers argue there will be "nowhere near" enough Border Patrol agents to secure the border when National Guard troops are withdrawn next month.
News
Subcommittee backs $27.9 billion Interior spending bill
Funding includes $175 million to revitalize the National Mall, whose plan has not been updated since 1902.
Pay & Benefits
Frankenstein's System
The federal pay structure is like a monster, with a torso drawn from the General Schedule and performance-based extremities tacked on.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: FDA asks for $65 million to better track food contamination
Increase in fiscal 2009 IT budget also would help trace adverse effects from medical devices.
Oversight
Census getting back on course, lawmakers told
Observers say cost still uncertain, but agency is making headway on program and contract management.
Defense
Appropriators add $2.3 billion to to DHS spending bill
Plan includes a boost in funding for grant programs and efforts to find and deport criminal illegal immigrants inside the United States.
Oversight
Cooperative purchasing bill close to becoming law
Senate approves measure to open GSA’s law enforcement and security-based Schedule 84 to state and local governments.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies urged to hire ex-offenders
People with criminal records could help fill future staff shortages, House panel says.
News