Defense
Key lawmaker hints at border, port spending plans
Subcommittee chairman also says appropriators have "serious issues" with the Homeland Security science and technology directorate.
Defense
Drug reimportation language holds up homeland security bill
Pharmaceutical lobby opposes a provision barring CBP agents from seizing legal drugs brought across the U.S.-Canada border.
Defense
General says sending more troops to Iraq would not be helpful
Adding U.S. forces would hamper effort to hand over responsibility to Iraqi forces, general argues.
Management
Union wins back pay for former IRS mailroom workers
Settlement represents a rare case in which an agency has been forced to issue payouts as a result of a lawsuit related to contracting out.
Pay & Benefits
Federal health premiums to rise only slightly
OPM draws on reserve funds to keep costs down, in a move a union official says helps the government more than employees.
Defense
Panelists: Threat advisory system too focused on air travel
Warning in response to August plot to bomb planes should have extended to other types of transportation, analyst says.
Defense
White House reiterates veto threat on Defense spending bill
Appropriations leaders’ agreement to trim $5.9 billion from base 2007 Defense accounts is unacceptable, OMB chief says.
Tech
DHS names cybersecurity czar
Gregory Garcia will be responsible for coordinating the government’s IT security policies.
Defense
FEMA acknowledges possibility of longer trailer park stays
Agreement with nonprofit will allow a community center to open at one Gulf Coast site; group hopes more will follow.
Defense
Senators urge Chertoff to strengthen visa waiver program
Weaknesses include inadequate procedures for countries to report lost or stolen travel documents, GAO says.
Management
Senator says he wants to probe per diem rates
Concern that feds may be pocketing excess per diem dollars spurs legislator’s interest in review.
Oversight
Something for Both Sides
Both Republicans and Democrats had promising results in last week’s primaries.
Tech
Federal privacy law faces review from data advisers
Report expected to discuss how changes in the nature and use of IT by agencies have created the need for revision of the legal and policy framework -- but not necessarily laws.
Defense
Guard wages last-ditch campaign to influence Defense bill negotiators
Effort seeks to reverse a tentative decision to scrap language that would have elevated the Guard chief to a four-star general.
Defense
Plan to overhaul FEMA lacks funding commitment
Authorizers expect reform plan to be added to the fiscal 2007 Homeland Security appropriations bill, which is in conference negotiations.
Management
Panel supports inspector general pay revisions
Special committee weighs options for updating the law governing IG operations.
Pay & Benefits