Nextgov

Homeland Security Radio Silence Persists

After almost three years, the Department of Homeland Security has made little progress toward improving internal communication via radio, according to a recent IG verification review.

Defense

NASA is Investing in Eco-friendly Supersonic Airplane Travel

Maybe by 2030 we'll be able to fly between London and New York in under four hours again.

Oversight

Senate Takes Up Defense Authorization Bill, House Works on Defense Spending

The week will be headlined by the fight over amendments on the Pentagon authorization bill.

Defense

Senators Push Back On Plan to Privatize Some Military Commissaries

A bipartisan proposal requires the Pentagon to report to Congress before moving ahead with pilot program to contract out the commissary system.

Management

Director of Pentagon's Far-Flung School System Counts His Blessings

Proposal to close down stateside schools never took hold and the system is enjoying a relatively steady budget. Char

Defense

Democrats' Shifting Line on Pentagon Spending

The minority party has vowed to block appropriations bills for their use of a "slush fund." But they'll let the authorization bill go through.

Nextgov

Watchdog Says Pentagon Needs to Crank Up ‘Insider Threat’ Monitoring

Only half of military components GAO reviewed have logged system and user behaviors to develop "a baseline of normal activity patterns."

Management

White House Objects to Defense Bill Contracting Provision Empowering Service Chiefs

Senate version would decentralize decision making on weapons system milestones for service-unique programs.

Defense

Former Pentagon IG Official Probed for Destroying Documents

U.S. magistrate will hear charges stemming from Thomas Drake whistleblower case.

Defense

Federal Building Security Officers in New England Lose Faith in Their Regional Leadership

Region 1 employees at DHS’ Federal Protective Service say they have “no confidence” in their bosses, citing micromanagement and a hostile workplace.

Defense

Wildfire Crisis Engulfs the Rest of the Forest Service's Budget

Agency chief wants an emergency reserve fund to fight catastrophic fires.

Defense

Obama’s Red Line on Iraq: No Ground Troops

The White House looks to run out the clock without a certain level of military engagement.

Defense

Acting TSA Chief Reassigned After IG Demonstrates Ease of Getting Weapons Past Screeners

Mock bombs and weapons made it past security checkpoints more than 95 percent of the time, according to leaked IG report.

Management

U.S. Efforts to Shore Up Afghan Economy Foundering, Watchdog Finds

$43 million gas pipeline and minerals extraction project not currently sustainable.

Defense

Army Chief Opens Door To Embedding American Troops With Iraqi Forces

After the fall of Ramadi, the Iraqi Security Forces need military and political leadership, Gen. Raymond Odierno says.

Defense

Ahead of Hurricane Season, Obama Warns Climate Change Will Worsen Storms

The White House has increasingly cautioned about extreme weather threats from climate change.

Pay & Benefits

Senate Passes Bill That Would Allow More Vets Access to Private Health Care

Vets who live within 40 miles of a VA facility that doesn’t provide the care they need are eligible for the Choice program under the legislation.