Oversight

2010: The Year in Quotes

A selection of some of the best quotations from our daily "Quote/Unquote" feature.

Oversight

Obama ends popular internship program, creates new pathways to federal service

Federal Career Intern Program has been used to hire thousands of employees but has drawn criticism that it circumvents merit system.

Oversight

Whistleblower protection bill dies again, on the 1-yard line

Measure clears House on Wednesday, but is blocked in Senate through an anonymous hold.

Oversight

Dodaro confirmed as comptroller general

Senate on final night of 111th Congress approves acting head of GAO as permanent.

Defense

Counterterrorism adviser promises tight security during holidays

Mindful of last year's Christmas bomber, Brennan seeks to reassure.

Defense

'Don't ask' probes were on wane before ban was struck down

In 2009, 428 troops were discharged, down from the 633 discharged in 2003.

Oversight

Regulatory agencies have stepped up enforcement, study says

OMB Watch reports increased inspections, fines and warning letters from Obama appointees monitoring consumer health, worker safety and the environment.

Defense

Congress passes legislation requiring polygraphs for CBP agents

Bill seeks to counteract corruption within the nation’s largest law enforcement agency.

Defense

Insourcing provisions land on the cutting room floor

Language that would have brought more work back in-house was not included in either chamber’s version of Defense authorization bill.

Defense

Obama signs 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal into law

Ban will not be lifted until administration certifies that implementation will not hurt military readiness or effectiveness, unit cohesion, or retention.

Oversight

Congress overhauls federal food safety efforts

Bill marks first effort to restructure oversight in more than 70 years.

Oversight

Short-term spending measure advances pay freeze proposal

Continuing resolution funding agencies through early March contains a provision holding civilian salaries steady for two years.

Defense

Defense contracting cuts might be much smaller than predicted

Official tells lawmakers reductions would apply narrowly to service support contracts.

Oversight

GAO again gives thumbs-down to federal financial statement

Watchdog agency cites problems with Defense financial management among reasons it can’t render an unqualified opinion.

Oversight

Paper Social Security checks will become obsolete in May

Treasury announces final rules for electronic delivery expected to reduce theft and save $1 billion over 10 years.

Oversight

Report: Agencies are throwing away more money on underused property

Number of buildings where space isn’t used effectively is growing, as is the cost of maintaining those buildings, GSA finds.

Defense

Air travelers want 'better alternative' to screening process

Removing shoes during screening stirs the most anger among travelers, according to survey.

Oversight

House passes bill to improve agency performance

Legislation requires agencies to designate senior officials to serve as chief operating and performance improvement officers.

Oversight

Congress sends another continuing resolution to Obama

Stopgap spending bill staves off a government shutdown and gives Republicans a chance to put their mark on fiscal 2011 spending.

Oversight

So It Begins

Seven Senate Democrats and 20 House Republicans could face tough reelection battles in 2012.