Oversight

GSA announces new chief of staff

Michael Robertson will focus on sustainability, open government, economic recovery and contracting.

Defense

Experts suggest eight ways to fix the VA claims backlog

Recommendations include computerizing records, improving coordination with the Defense Department and better prioritizing cases.

Oversight

Harvard professor nominated to head CMS

Donald Berwick's name had been circulating for months.

Oversight

Divided Government

If the GOP recaptures the House during the midterm election, it could help President Obama's reelection chances.

Oversight

Senators subpoena agencies for Fort Hood shooting data

Summons sent to Defense and Justice after months of wrangling over access to investigation information.

Oversight

Revamped Thrift Savings website could be delayed until June

Load tests must be completed and multimedia features will be added as the project evolves, officials say.

Oversight

White House creates advisory board on federal management

Group will offer guidance on government operations, technology.

Defense

Rivals team up for helicopter contract

Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft join forces in competition to build president's fleet.

Oversight

HHS: Insurers should extend coverage early

Department urges insurance for dependents under 26 before health care reform becomes law in September.

Oversight

Senator calls health care reform ‘mother of all implementation challenges’

Virginia Democrat pledges to ensure value of major programs is measured in a meaningful way.

Oversight

Poll: Trust in government nose dives

Despite dismal figures, public still views federal agencies more positively than they do Congress.

Pay & Benefits

OPM will launch branding campaign, test lab to recruit new hires

Director John Berry says he has assembled a ‘cool team’ to work on making federal service a popular destination.

Defense

Forward Observer: Rational Defense

The country is spending more than $1 trillion a year on national defense despite fighting only two little wars against enemies with no ships, warplanes or tanks.

Oversight

Lawmakers announce initiative to increase diversity on Capitol Hill

After years of focusing on diversity in federal agencies, Congress looks in the mirror.

Oversight

Pentagon to rebid Afghan police training contract

Earlier this year, GAO blocked Army’s plan to pivot the work to an existing Defense contract.

Defense

Defense shapes savvier shoppers

Acquisition university faces the challenge of training thousands of new procurement professionals.

Oversight

Furloughed Transportation workers receive back pay

CBO says back pay for two days of furlough will cost $1 million.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: McCain suggests using military tech on Mexico border

The Arizona senator describes drug cartels’ operations in the area as irregular warfare and says the rising violence justifies a military response , including the use of technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles.

Oversight

Obama orders mine safety review

President wants Congress to beef up existing safety laws in wake of latest explosion in West Virginia.

Oversight

Postal Service prodded -- once again -- to do more with less

Despite job cuts, some lawmakers still criticize agency for retaining a bloated workforce.