Oversight

Hiring reform deadline creates some headaches for agencies

Despite reports of progress, plans include plenty of challenges to tackle before Nov. 1.

Oversight

Senator: Consumer agency needs permanent director

Democrat dismisses significance of White House plan to appoint Elizabeth Warren as an unconfirmed special adviser to new consumer financial protection bureau.

Oversight

OMB nominee vows exhaustive review of agencies

In afternoon confirmation hearing, Jack Lew says review will be one of his first actions if confirmed as budget chief.

Oversight

Committees could see fundamental shakeup after election

Makeup of the Budget and Appropriations panels likely will be significantly different after Nov. 2.

Defense

Pentagon official seeks support for contracting initiatives

Possible consequences of not acting include broken or canceled programs and market uncertainty, acquisition executive says.

Defense

Army seeks hundreds of contracting specialists

Service will insource 4,000 acquisition personnel and hire hundreds more to boost workforce.

Oversight

Task force calls for reforms to ease small business contracting concerns

Group wants changes in set-asides, bundling and workforce training.

Defense

Industry chief welcomes Defense acquisition reforms

Aerospace Industry Association president says proposals align closely with many of the recommendations the private sector gave the Pentagon.

Defense

Senator will introduce immigration overhaul before election

Bill will include language that would give an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country a way to earn citizenship.

Oversight

GAO sees improvement in CMS competitive bid process

But some medical equipment firms and hospitals say the program will have an adverse impact on businesses, jobs and patients.

Oversight

GOP appropriators warn Dems on spending

Republicans estimate that Democrats want to add about $25 billion to the continuing resolution.

Defense

New rules aim to rein in Defense spending

Guidance to acquisition staff will affect how the Pentagon spends $400 billion annually on weapons and services.

Oversight

Hiring reform makes headway

Agencies are working hard to bring people on board faster and increase manager buy-in, officials say.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: GSA grants dozens of agencies deadline exceptions for Networx

More than 40 agencies have until August 2011 to file plans to transition to the new telecommunications services.

Oversight

Bill to curb secret Senate holds could get vote soon

Measure is expected to be introduced as an amendment to defense authorization legislation.

Defense

EADS says tanker's flight test should help contract bid

Statement is the latest in a prolonged campaign of advertisements, news releases and public statements by two global competitors for what could be a $50 billion deal.

Oversight

Lawmakers rap Amtrak for IG dismissal

Report by House and Senate Republicans finds agency broke the law by failing to first notify Congress.

Defense

Nuclear program has Air Force both worried and hopeful

Administration's fiscal 2011 budget request includes a substantial funding increase to upgrade nuclear weapons facilities and modernize and sustain the weapons stockpile.

Defense

Appropriators slash F-35 purchases in fiscal 2011

Subcommittee's decision is to buy ll less fighters than the department requested; panel also excludes funding for alternate engine.

Oversight

Disenchanted Dems

The president's grades have fallen, in some cases faster, among groups that supported him in 2008.