Oversight
Senator refuses to relinquish hold on OMB nominee
Jacob Lew remains in limbo as the Obama administration gets to work on the fiscal 2012 budget.
Oversight
Postal Service to manage losses with more workforce cuts
Agency ended fiscal 2010 $8.5 billion in the red, despite deep reductions in personnel and hours.
Defense
Republicans divided on defense cuts
Fissure opens between GOP lawmakers who say spending on the military is necessary to recover from a decade of war, and fiscal hawks focused on reducing the deficit.
Oversight
Senate majority leader goes easy on deficit-cutting plan
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., has been more muted in his criticism of the proposal than other Democrats, saying it provides a good starting point for discussions.
Defense
Air Force ramps up new strategic sourcing office
Unit is expected to save $2.3 billion over five years by buying common goods and services in bulk.
Oversight
Senate battle over earmark moratorium heats up
Aides call the GOP vote on the ban next week a toss-up.
Oversight
Fiscal panel chairs propose three-year civilian pay freeze, hiring slowdown
Federal workers and contractors would take a hit under draft plan.
Oversight
Fiscal commission leaders back spending cuts, tax increases
Observers are skeptical the panel will be able to reach a consensus, because 14 of the 18 members need to support any recommendations.
Oversight
Likely House majority leader calls for hiring freeze
Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., says move could save $35 billion.
Defense
Gates: U.S. would consider staying in Iraq beyond 2011
Request "clearly needs to come from the Iraqis," Defense chief says.
Oversight
Watchdog calls for reform of Justice travel policies
Review of U.S. attorneys’ expenses finds inconsistent policies and poor oversight are partially to blame for abuses.
Oversight
Amid changes on Capitol Hill, Postal Service faces uncertain future
Concerns about job cuts and retiree benefits remain as leaders vow reforms.
Oversight
Why? Why? Why?
The midterms were partly a referendum on the party in power, partly a plunge after Democrats’ back-to-back surges in 2006 and 2008, and partly a search for political balance.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Agencies slow to respond to requests for contractor data
Some have refused FOIA requests to disclose ratings information.
Defense
Pentagon needs rationale for hiring civilian leaders, GAO says
Consistent documentation of reviews of war zone workforce should be reported to Congress, auditors concluded.
Oversight
Research group offers federal cost-saving proposals
IBM Center says government can free up $1 trillion by adopting commercial best practices.
Oversight
Administration announces finalists in cost-cutting contest
Four proposals to boost efficiency put to public vote.
Oversight
On '60 Minutes,' Obama is contrite but confident
Obama expresses some regrets about his first two years as president, but also shows optimism about working with Republican leaders.
Oversight
Powerful Senate Democrats and Republicans back earmarks
Appropriations Chairman Inouye and Senate Minority Leader McConnell support the practice of directing spending.
Oversight