Oversight
House passes energy and water bill with veto-proof margin
Members now face bigger hurdles with the Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by about $12.5 billion.
Management
What’s the Big Idea?
Coming up with a moon-shot goal can be tricky, but fear of failure is no reason not to try.
Oversight
House slogs its way through spending bill earmark fights
Members take up Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by nearly $13 billion.
Defense
House backs clear path toward anti-terrorism bill talks
Measure to implement unfulfilled 9/11 commission recommendations has languished for months largely due to turf battles among committees.
Oversight
House panel to take up bill to block outsourcing of tax collections
Democrats argue debt collection is an inherently governmental job and cite privacy concerns, but they are unlikely to win the GOP’s support.
Defense
Pentagon urged not to use ability to degrade GPS signals
It last happened in 1990; Bush administration has promised “uninterrupted access” to civilian GPS signals.
Oversight
Senate contracting reform bill wins support
Hearing witnesses express concerns over details of Senate measure, but generally applaud the effort.
Pay & Benefits
House members weigh alternate paths to TSA bargaining rights
Texas Democrat says if bargaining language doesn’t make it into massive homeland security measure, she may introduce separate legislation.
Defense
DHS to review $8 million in unpaid security contract invoices
Homeland Security officials and House lawmaker pledge to fix flawed system for paying contract guards.
Pay & Benefits
Report: Defense underestimated cost of personnel overhaul
Some indirect costs, such as those for administrative services, were not taken into account, auditors say.
Defense
Success of Iraq surge rests on ability to suspend cycle of violence
Determining whether U.S. forces are buying enough time and security to allow for longer-term stability is more an art than a science.
Oversight
Veterans Affairs chief resigns
James Nicholson, 69, says he wants to return to the private sector.
Defense
House Dems split over immigration, border security moves
Democrats weigh advancing individual bills on each; Republicans have introduced a border enforcement measure.
Defense
New roadblocks delay negotiations on security, ethics bills
Arizona Republican objects to agreement that would have allowed House-Senate talks on measure to implement unfulfilled 9/11 commission recommendations.
Oversight