Defense

Lawmakers seek more experienced Afghan inspector general

Candidates to fill the spot vacated by Arnold Fields should have 'less celebrity and more technical competence,' Senate aide says.

Oversight

Oil spill panel releases recommendations

Among other suggestions, commission pitches a broader role for other agencies such as NOAA in Interior Department leasing activities.

Oversight

Lawmaker revives proposal to cut jobs, extend pay freeze

Bill supports deficit commission recommendations to reduce the federal workforce and to hold salaries level for three years.

Oversight

State Department revises its gender-neutral passport wording

Surprised by conservative criticism of redesigned application’s use of ‘parent’ in place of ‘mother’ and ‘father,’ Clinton intervenes with compromise.

Defense

Shooting won't faze GOP spending agenda

Observers see no tension between security needs, budget-cutting goals.

Oversight

Beyond Repeal

Republicans owe it to their supporters to go after health care reform. But they had better not stop there.

Oversight

Postal Service will cut more of its workforce

After eliminating senior positions, USPS will begin early retirement and personnel reduction.

Oversight

Report finds IRS does business with tax delinquents

Agency often does not verify whether contractors have paid federal taxes, according to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Defense

Tragedy brings focus on mental health agencies

House is slated to vote on health care law this week, which includes mental health service expansion.

Oversight

Obama nominates new OMB deputy director

Heather Higginbottom currently serves as deputy assistant to the president.

Oversight

IG finds Army mismanaged contingency operations support contract

Service allowed scope of the deal to grow without fostering competition, or taking proper precautions to protect proprietary data, report says.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Commerce announces new shop to oversee online security

Office will coordinate public-private efforts to better protect electronic transactions for people and organizations.

Defense

Gates moves to overhaul, boost military intelligence

Demand from ground commanders for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets continues to exceed the military’s supply, secretary says.

Oversight

National taxpayer advocate looped into debate on repealing health care law

Questions about IRS’ capacity to administer complex new law are released just as House Republicans launch bid to undo Obama’s reforms.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Key lawmaker wants to limit full-body screening at airports

Legislation would bar TSA from using advanced imaging technology scanners for primary inspection.

Defense

Gates takes ax to Defense programs to end ‘culture of endless money’

Department identifies $154 billion in proposed efficiencies though ending weapons programs, changing business practices.

Oversight

House speaker: Action on debt ceiling to avert shutdown must be tied to budget cuts

John Boehner says 'meaningful action' needed to end 'job-killing spending binge in Washington.'

Oversight

House oversight panel Democrats get more aggressive

Committee’s ranking member vows to “do everything in our power” to stop any GOP witch hunts.

Oversight

HHS shifts new health insurance oversight office to CMS

Move could protect newly created office from Republican House appropriators who want to defund key parts of health reform law.

Oversight

Watchdog: IRS stretched thin by new missions

Taxpayer advocate says agency isn't well-equipped for its upcoming role in paying out billions of dollars in benefits under the new health insurance law.