Defense
House passes stopgap funding bill to keep agencies open
Maneuvering for language condemning recent ad by anti-war group comes amid partisan rhetoric over slow progress on annual spending bills.
Defense
DHS official touts ongoing revisions to emergency response plan
Aim is to “make sure people actually pick [the plan] up and use it,” emergency management official says.
Defense
DHS upgrades employment eligibility screening system
Government sues state of Illinois for its failure to embrace the Web-based program.
Oversight
Arbitrator rules for union in dispute with IRS
Management rights don’t outweigh the need to bargain, arbitrator finds.
Oversight
FDA official says agency needs more policing power
Position differs from that in proposal from presidential advisory group, which stayed within the framework of the agency’s current resources and authorities.
Defense
State Department accused of stonewalling congressional panel
Agency is hindering investigations into corruption in Iraq and the controversial security firm Blackwater USA, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., says.
Management
Between the Lines
The comptroller general wants to redefine ‘inherently governmental,’ two words that could change contracting.
Defense
Intelligence chief scolded for being 'disingenuous'
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., interrupts opening statement at hearing to criticize references to outdated 1978 spy law, noting the law has been amended frequently.
News
Dems propose clean stopgap funding measure
Bill would keep agencies running between the end of the fiscal year and Nov. 16.
Defense
Panel backs restoration of funds for Coast Guard upgrade
Homeland Security Committee votes to bring the Deepwater procurement authorization up to fiscal 2007 levels.
Defense
Air Force general: Chinese anti-satellite test a ‘wake-up call’
The United States no longer can take for granted that it has a military advantage in space, commander says at Washington conference.
Oversight
Senate Dems seek probe of wartime contracting
Bipartisan commission would be charged with reviewing nearly all contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
News
Financial chiefs make progress on audits, improper payments
Challenges remain, especially at the Pentagon, which is making headway resolving material weaknesses but has yet to achieve a clean audit.
Pay & Benefits
IRS hires firm to review performance pay for managers
Consultant will evaluate compensation system over five years to determine whether changes are helping to hire and retain managers.
Defense
Resignation of DHS deputy prompts questions on Capitol Hill
House Democrat suggests department chief offered misleading testimony earlier this month when he said he thought senior leaders would stay on.
Defense
Air Force secretary says service needs $20 billion more a year
Service also would like to retire some of its oldest aircraft, which are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.
Oversight