Defense
Senator puts blanket hold on presidential nominees
According to Democratic aides, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is stalling more than 70 nominees in an effort to win concessions for his home state.
Defense
DHS comes under fire for failure to track conference and travel costs
Department’s IG office urges better oversight to avoid wasteful spending.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Government takes layered approach to aviation security
House members say Homeland Security should make a greater effort to gauge the public’s response to potential passenger screening technologies.
Oversight
Senate confirms Johnson as GSA administrator
Nearly a year after she was nominated, Martha Johnson is the agency’s first permanent administrator since 2008.
Defense
Energy secretary gets heat on Yucca funding
Chu says the administration has years to decide on a permanent storage site.
Oversight
Debt limit increase nears final House vote
Republicans accuse Democrats of playing "deceitful procedural games" to advance the measure.
Oversight
Winter storm in Washington highlights telework
White House efforts to increase telework among federal employees could get a boost from Mother Nature.
Oversight
Budget chief catches flak on deficit commission
OMB director says plan is the way to prevent fiscal disaster.
Defense
National intelligence chief bemoans politicizing of security
Debate over the government's handling of the Christmas bombing plot has not been helpful to law enforcement efforts, says Dennis Blair.
Defense
Gates rejects multiyear deal on Navy aircraft
Defense secretary tells Congress it would not save enough money to make it worthwhile.
Defense
Strategic reviews emphasize risk management
Pentagon and DHS reports highlight the need for better interagency cooperation.
Oversight
Contractors welcome military surge in Afghanistan
Some have been expected to work in areas not yet cleared by U.S. soldiers.
Oversight
Analysis: Internationally oriented executives needed
Many domestic federal agencies aren’t prepared for global responsibilities.
Oversight
Spending plan attracts bipartisan criticism
Lawmakers say the Obama administration should not count on a presidential commission to bring down the deficit to 3 percent of GDP.
Defense
Obama budget revives dispute over new spy satellites
Proposal supports buying large electro-optical satellites and more commercial data, but ignores a plan to purchase a small cluster of relatively cheap satellites.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Budget freeze could lead agencies to focus on IT projects that reduce costs, report says
Agencies should strategically invest in solutions such as standardization and cloud computing that lead to less spending.
Oversight
HHS budget supports flu-fighting efforts
Department also dedicates fiscal 2011 funding to bioterror countermeasures.
Oversight
Budget calls for larger acquisition workforce
Proposal would spend $158 million to increase the size of the procurement workforce by 5 percent.
Defense
Panel will study impact of gay ban repeal on military
Group will study a range of issues, including any changes to benefits, base housing and personnel policies that would be made necessary by repealing the law.
Defense