News
Panel mandates aviation security tech upgrades
Bill mandates that the Transportation Security Administration incorporate advanced technologies such as iris scanners, explosive-detection systems, wireless devices and blast-resistant cargo and baggage containers.
News
GSA wins qualified praise for progress on new telecom contract
Industry observers are watching closely as agency develops follow-on to FTS 2001.
News
Appropriators seek to avoid long-term temporary funding measure
Agencies are already jockeying for exemptions from a continuing resolution that would temporarily freeze budgets at fiscal 2004 levels on Oct. 1.
News
Senators unveil bipartisan intelligence overhaul bill
Measure would create a national intelligence director with considerable budget and personnel authority.
News
Lawmakers question policy on transportation security information
Recent events spur interest in reviewing how DHS and TSA apply the “sensitive security information” designation.
News
House votes to bar IRS from outsourcing tax collection
Provision prohibits the use of private sector debt collectors.
News
Airline ticket discount program cost drops
The City Pair Fare program will cost $101 million less in fiscal 2005 than it did in fiscal 2004.
Management
House lawmaker to renew challenge of job competition rules
Democrat is again introducing language that would force Bush administration to rethink competitive sourcing guidelines.
Pay & Benefits
Private sector steps in to help agencies with hiring
Agency officials hope the hiring makeovers will yield significant benefits by the end of 2005.
Management
Congress, White House urged to streamline national security appointments
9/11 commissioners recommend eliminating Senate scrutiny of some appointees.
News
State Department seeks to shift $3.5 billion in Iraq funds
New effort will focus on small-scale projects that show visible results quickly.
Pay & Benefits
Officials weigh mandatory retirement age for public safety officials
A Senate lawmaker questions whether compulsory retirement ages still make sense.
Management
Lax oversight at national labs led to purchase cards abuse, GAO says
Reports cite areas in the labs' internal control systems that allow for wasteful purchases using government money.
Defense
Policy leaders offer advice for tackling security clearance backlog
Officials agree reform is needed, but differ over where power should reside.
News
Forest Service PR plan called legal
Agency broke no laws in paying a public relations firm to promote its plan to triple logging in Sierra Nevada forests, GAO says.
Management