Defense
Senate bill creates DHS management post
Measure would add a deputy secretary to serve as a principal adviser to the secretary of the department on all issues related to management.
Oversight
Panel OKs emergency funds for recovery from bridge collapse
Bill authorizes $250 million in relief funds for the state of Minnesota to use in the repairs of the Interstate-35W bridge.
Oversight
FDA to avoid layoff notices by dipping into reserves
Agency chief defends deputy for sending out an officewide e-mail that staff and lawmakers have called intimidating.
Defense
Increase in dangerous posts strains Foreign Service
State Department is facing staffing and training challenges as short-term hardship assignments become more common.
Oversight
EEOC votes not to extend contract for customer service center
Commission split over possible contract extension, considers bringing operation in-house.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers question government contribution to health premiums
Top federal personnel official argues increasing government's share isn't necessary.
Defense
Web-based military health records system called bureaucratic, not technical, challenge
Commercial vendors say similar systems already are in place in the private sector.
Defense
Lawmaker probes need to streamline Homeland Security oversight
Top Democrat on Homeland Security panel seeks GAO review; ranking member already convinced overhaul is necessary.
Pay & Benefits
TSP stock funds post losses for July
All of the stock-based funds in the 401(k)-style retirement savings plan lost money last month.
Oversight
FDA suspends plan to consolidate inspection laboratories
Agency chief says he is waiting for a presidential panel’s recommendations on improving safety.
Pay & Benefits
Hitting the Ceiling
Limits on salaries are causing employees in the top echelons of government to fall behind on pay.
Oversight
Bill to target waste in contracting moves to Senate floor
Measure encourages maximum competition and limits length of non-competitive contracts awarded under exceptional circumstances.
Defense
Bush pushes lawmakers to act on spying bill
Administration is urging Congress to move fast to broaden the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Defense
Rumsfeld faces House oversight panel on Tillman death
Hearing witnesses say there was no attempt at a cover-up, but acknowledge the Army failed to follow rules in informing family of circumstances.
Defense