Oversight

Agencies collaborate to manage drilling on public lands

Interior, USDA and EPA sign memo detailing joint process for assuring environmental protections in oil, gas operations.

Defense

Senators, administration clash over Libya operations

State offers nuanced legal arguments for Obama's decision to conduct military operations in Libya without congressional authorization.

Defense

Size of fire near Los Alamos National Laboratory jumps 28% to 60,000 acres

No new fires have broken out on the nuclear lab’s property since a small one-acre blaze Monday.

Oversight

Ready to Rumble

If Rick Perry enters the presidential race, look for him and Michele Bachmann to duke it out.

Oversight

Economic benefits of regulations outweigh costs, OMB says

First governmentwide analysis since Obama-ordered regulatory review stresses job creation and data-based decision-making.

Oversight

White House debt deal meeting 'good' and 'constructive,' spokesman says

"Everyone in the room believes that a significant deal remains possible," Obama said, after meeting with Biden, Reid.

Defense

U.S. to begin 'thinning out' its Afghan forces

Initial changes will generally involve shifting troops around within the country, not taking them out entirely.

Oversight

'Mystery shoppers' to help administration assess primary care physicians

Program will gauge doctors' availability and whether they prefer patients with private insurance.

Oversight

New bill would improve Peace Corps volunteer safety

Legislation would extend federal whistleblower protections to volunteers and institute measures to handle and prevent rape and assault.

Oversight

Debt-ceiling talks move toward the end game

Republicans left Biden panel Thursday, calling for President Obama to get more involved in negotiations.

Defense

Petraeus acknowledges differences with Obama over Afghan drawdown

President's plan is significantly faster than the general had wanted.

Oversight

Federal grant-making procedures could be consolidated, controller says

House hearing focuses on reducing waste through improving transparency and strengthening grants website.

Defense

Former top officials dissect homeland security since 9/11

Government has learned many lessons since terrorist attacks, but partisan politics and lack of information sharing across sectors still pose problems, panelists say.

Oversight

GOP lawmaker proposes overhaul of USPS

Rep. Darrell Issa’s legislation would cut delivery frequency and adjust workers’ pay and benefits.

Oversight

Republicans pull out of debt talks

GOP negotiators say impasse over taxes must be resolved at a higher level.

Defense

Americans least confident in Congress, most confident in military, survey finds

Military's 78 percent rating is 11 points higher than the institution’s historical average.

Oversight

From Nextgov: Panel unanimously endorses new government-spending oversight board

Oversight Committee's ranking member questions the new group's subpoena power and transparency advocates oppose a sunset provision.

Oversight

Acting ATF director dismisses speculation he’s quitting

Under fire in a House panel’s probe of mishandled gun trafficking operations at Mexico border, Kenneth Melson stays put as Senate considers successor’s nomination.

Oversight

GAO: Defense needs to improve management of incentive pay

From fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2010, the services signed contracts worth $11 billion in enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses.

Defense

Ahead of Obama speech, key senator pushes withdrawal

Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin says he wants a “significant” reduction of forces in Afghanistan.