Oversight
Senators consider steps to enforce small business goals
Witnesses say there aren’t enough measures to hold agencies accountable for failing to reach 23 percent target.
Oversight
GAO, union reach agreement to hold election
Agency affirms the eligibility of certain employees to organize in exchange for the withdrawal of an unfair labor practice charge.
Oversight
Pay reform, recruiting cited as top personnel challenges
Officials caution against implementing a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
Oversight
IRS to spend $13.2 million on headquarters flood recovery
Agency avoided using any new appropriations and followed contracting rules, auditors find.
Defense
Senate freshmen seek stronger oversight of wartime contractors
Measure would create a panel to review government reliance on contractors, expand authority of special inspector general for Iraq.
Pay & Benefits
Pushing Parental Leave
The idea of granting paid leave to new parents is gaining traction on Capitol Hill.
Defense
Senate leader pulls defense bill after falling short on key Iraq vote
Republicans criticize Democrats for shelving authorization measure after a week of debate, arguing it has critical policy provisions.
Tech
Privacy officials discuss government data breaches
Challenge of protecting data is changing as the federal workforce becomes more mobile with laptop computers and BlackBerry handheld devices, officials say.
News
Homeland Security chief defends timing of communications grants
Local, state officials say the grants are a good start but more money is needed.
Oversight
House panel votes to bar outsourcing of tax debt collections
Bill passes 23-18, over Republican objections.
Defense
Protests could put brakes on new Iraq logistics contract
Two losing teams are claiming the Army made mistakes in evaluating their proposals.
Oversight
Inconsistencies hinder sharing of contractor performance data
Officials say new bill requiring creation of central database would help alert agencies of contractor missteps.
Oversight
CIA alters ‘news media’ definition for FOIA requests
Criticism of a draft proposal prevented a more expansive overhaul of fee structure.
Oversight
Court extends deadline for DHS decision on labor rules
Department now has until Jan. 17, 2008, to decide whether it will rewrite or drop proposed rules.
Defense