Oversight
Pell Grants cost shift gives appropriators funding leeway
Interest groups are hoping to benefit, but there could be pressure to simply trim bill’s overall price tag given President Bush's proposed veto.
Defense
Terrorism risk insurance bill faces budget obstacles
Measure to reauthorize and expand program for 15 years comes with possible price tag of $3.7 billion over a five-year period and $10.4 billion over 10 years.
Defense
Petraeus says troop decreases could begin in weeks
Iraq commander forecasts a return to pre-surge levels of about 130,000 American troops in Iraq by next July.
Defense
MoveOn ad against Gen. Petraeus triggers outcry
Republican leaders denounce the ad strategy, saying it amounts to a personal attack on a military general.
Defense
Administration defends secret warrants, spy satellites
Intelligence chief says administration will lose half of its ability to track and understand terrorists if changes to surveillance law are halted.
Defense
GAO renews call for Defense management chief
Department officials argue that such a position would be redundant, but watchdog agency says it is necessary to provide accountability.
Pay & Benefits
TSP to halt use of Social Security numbers as account IDs
Participants will receive new account numbers this month, in time to start using them Oct. 1.
Defense
Senator wants sections of GAO report on Iraq declassified
Specifically, Armed Services chair wants to make public details in assessment of the levels of sectarian violence in Iraq.
Oversight
GSA to transfer 250 acquisition employees
Agency will move workers in branch losing money to new jobs.
Defense
Contractor problems hold up border fence project
Boeing was supposed to develop an integrated system for 28 miles of border in Arizona by June, but technical glitches have slowed progress.
Oversight
Arbitrator rules against SEC pay for performance system
Arbitrary standards produced discrimination against African-Americans, employees over 40, mediator finds.
Defense
Nuclear regulatory panel enters critical period without key member
Edward McGaffigan, the commission’s longest-serving member, died last week after a battle with melanoma.
Defense
Military official warns against delaying war funding
Comments come in reaction to appropriator’s prediction that it could be months before a supplemental funding bill is enacted.
Pay & Benefits
Congress approves student loan forgiveness for public servants
Bill that would make it easier for indebted graduates to enter government jobs awaits the president's signature.
Pay & Benefits
House panel questions complexity of veterans preference laws
Attorney says simplifying rules could improve compliance, but personnel official argues federal managers are adequately schooled.
Defense
Panel leaders seek details on Homeland Security satellite plan
Senior Democrats say they need to understand the legal underpinnings of the program before they can support it.
Pay & Benefits