Defense

Senators seek clean FAA bill

Extraneous provisions could erode bipartisan support for the measure, Commerce Committee leaders say.

Defense

Fighter jet's costs jump more than 50 percent

Increase means the Pentagon's largest program will breach the 1982 Nunn-McCurdy cost-control law.

Oversight

Congressional panel seeks broad Defense acquisition overhaul

Interim report suggests clearer contract requirements and stronger oversight of performance.

Oversight

Watchdogs applaud earmark ban, wonder about loopholes

House prohibition could just end up shifting spending directed to for-profits from "one side of the Capitol to the other," one observer cautions.

Oversight

House takes aim at Census look-alike letters

Bill would require non-Bureau mailings to have a disclaimer.

Oversight

Administration gets tough on improper payments

Obama directs agencies to hire more auditors who get paid based on the amount of money they recapture.

Defense

Dot, Dot, Dot . . .

Former Government Executive reporter Shane Harris discusses his book on why agencies are better at collecting intelligence than analyzing it.

Defense

White House: TSA nominee to avoid conflicts of interest

Harding plans to steer clear of matters involving former consulting clients.

Defense

McCain: Hill won't threaten tanker deal

Lawmakers will keep a close eye on the contract, but won't intervene, according to the Arizona Republican.

Oversight

House leader 'hopeful' budget blueprint will pass by Easter

Hoyer stresses lawmakers are not tied to that timeline.

Oversight

OMB staffer to be disciplined for threats to IG

Program examiner said his office would 'make life miserable' for OPM inspector general if he took budget complaints to Congress.

Oversight

Turning around negative view of government will take time, Obama official says

Strides in IT and human capital seen as key to improving program performance and gaining public trust.

Oversight

Proposals to ban earmarks continue to pick up steam

Potential amendment to jobs bill would throw up roadblocks to fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 measures that include directed spending.

Oversight

Eye on 2012

The quest for the GOP presidential nomination will begin in earnest next month in New Orleans.

Oversight

Court puts HUBZone firms at top of small business pecking order

U.S. Court of Federal Claims finds that Historically Underutilized Business Zone companies have priority over 8(a) and veteran-owned firms.

Oversight

Obama taps former intelligence officer to lead TSA

Labor unions take a wait-and-see approach to nomination of retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding.

Oversight

Moderate Democrats pitch bailout repayment bill

Six Blue Dog leaders advocate legislation to recoup the cost of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and pay down the growing deficit.

Defense

Forward Observer: QDR is a Quite Disappointing Report

Goal of the strategy document seems to be to avoid ruffling feathers.

Oversight

Look-alike Census mailings targeted by House measure

Bill takes aim at bogus fliers that could discourage people from returning the authentic forms.

Oversight

IG: Homeland Security isn’t awarding noncompetitive contracts by the book

Lack of market research and acquisition planning could mean DHS isn’t receiving the best value for taxpayers, watchdog says.