Defense
From Nextgov.com: Security analysts praise Obama's pledge for a cyber chief
Position's direct line to the president would give cybersecurity more clout, but how much is unclear.
Defense
Lawmaker raises concerns over huge TSA personnel contract
House committee chairman wants specifics on how $1.2 billion deal would address agency’s persistent workforce problems.
Defense
Navy's fighter jet shortage may be worse than expected
To minimize the size of the shortfall, the service hopes to get 10,000 flight hours out of each of its Hornets.
Defense
Pilot program may overhaul treatment of veterans
Pentagon-VA program takes aim at a bureaucratic redundancy.
Defense
Chertoff defends border actions, calls for immigration bill
DHS chief says a guest-worker program would help stem the flow of illegal immigrants across the nation's Southern border.
Defense
Senate panel moves military construction spending bill
Bill would provide a total of $119.7 billion, of which $73 billion is discretionary funding, $3.65 billion over President Bush's request.
Defense
Former Clinton Navy secretary discusses post-Bush defense policy
The Pentagon needs "creative destruction" of some of its programs, says Richard Danzig.
Defense
Officials call for dramatic boost in State Department staff
Ohio senator and others recommend a 16 percent increase in workforce in addition to more language and skills training.
Defense
Groups urge House leaders to improve E-Verify system
Corporate and nonprofit organizations seek three-year limit on extension of voluntary employee vetting program.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Congress threatens to block rule to have airlines pay for foreign-exit system
Scuttling DHS proposal for a network to check identities of international travelers departing the country could suspend visa waiver program.
Defense
Africa Command has trouble filling key civilian slots
The initial goal was to fill a quarter of staff positions with experts from civilian agencies; now the target is 4 percent and even that is proving difficult.
Defense
House Democrats, TSA at odds over cargo screening mandate
Agency says law only applies to air cargo being shipped from an airport inside the United States; lawmakers argue it also applies to foreign air carriers.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Congress pushes DHS for national emergency communications plan
Department may have to delay state grants to make first responder communications interoperable.
Defense
Energy Department revises cost estimate for Yucca Mountain project
Nevada nuclear waste repository will come with a price tag of more than $90 billion.
Defense
House Homeland Security Committee's staff said to be in turmoil
A handful of senior aides have left in recent weeks; some staffers claim panel's oversight work is being eclisped by a focus on promoting contracting opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses.
Defense
ACLU urges action to 'fix' growing terrorist watch list
Group charges that list now has over 1 million names, including members of Congress.
Defense
McCain, Obama share some views on security
Both want more troops on the ground and both reject many of President Bush's policies; differences emerge on nuclear weapons, defense spending and the priority placed on the war in Afghanistan.
Defense
Forward Observer: Invisible Wounds
Mississippi Democrat wants to do a better job of protecting troops from long-lasting brain trauma inflicted by bombs.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: DISA to offer on-demand computing environment in 2009
IT developers will be able to pay monthly for computing resources to test new software applications.
Defense