Defense
House panel votes to give small states FEMA advocate
Newly created position would be designed to work on behalf of a list of a group of states with small populations.
Management
Prison industries overhaul bill stalls in House committee
Usually faithful Republicans block approval of bill requiring federal prisons to compete with private companies when selling goods to agencies.
Defense
Biotech officials pan implementation of Project Bioshield
HHS accused of moving too slowly to issue contracts for vaccines and treatments under the program.
News
White House requests additional $2 billion for VA health care
OMB says increase would not affect plans to hold overall discretionary spending increases to 2.3 percent -- less than the expected rate of inflation -- and non-security spending below last year's levels.
Defense
BRAC commission lawyer: States must approve Guard changes
Defense Department plan to strip planes from 23 Air Guard units around the country might be unconstitutional.
Management
Former House Speaker recommends public-private partnership for National Zoo
Proposal is among 20 federal management reforms that Newt Gingrich proposed before a House subcommittee.
News
Judge asks DHS to delay new personnel regulations for two weeks
Attorneys for labor unions, agency argue over motion to put off implementation of system pending legal challenge.
Management
NASA teams probe shuttle’s fuel gauge problem
Agency won’t be ready for second launch attempt for as long as two weeks.
News
Senate nears vote on bolstering rail and transit security
Amendment would cut $100 million from the first-responder grant program to pay for the increase in transit grants.
Defense
DoD, panel set date to discuss overseas troop relocation
Cost estimates for move as high as $25 billion.
Defense
Lawmakers mull Homeland Security reorganization plan
DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff takes revamp plan to the Hill, but some lawmakers come out swinging with criticisms.
Pay & Benefits
Success of civil service overhaul could hinge on rollout of Pentagon plan
GAO says poor execution of National Security Personnel System could doom governmentwide personnel reform efforts.
Management
House, Senate GOP may approve more than $3 billion for VA
Money would cover budget shortfall projected by department officials.
News