Defense
From Nextgov.com: Senate derails Hight's nomination as DISA director
Marriage to executive in charge of business development at Northrop Grumman raises conflict-of-interest concerns.
Oversight
Senate committee sets discretionary fund allocations for agencies
Overall, the panel doled out $1.013 trillion for the 12 fiscal 2009 appropriations bills, which would be $21 billion more than the administration proposal.
Defense
Boeing's allies threaten legislative action if Air Force rejects GAO's tanker findings
Service has 60 days to inform GAO of its future plans.
Defense
Senate subcommittee adds $2.5 billion to DHS spending bill
House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved its version of the spending bill last week.
Defense
GAO upholds Boeing protest of tanker award
Watchdog agency recommends Air Force reopen discussions with contractors, obtain revised proposals and make a new decision.
Defense
Incoming president will face key deadlines for Homeland Security programs
Some of the deadlines have been imposed by Congress, while others were put in place by the current department leadership team.
Defense
Veterans groups seek funding in advance
Groups want the VA to get its health care money on day one of each fiscal year, instead of dealing with routine delays in the budget process.
Defense
IGs face more responsibility, turf wars over war-related spending
Congress steps up oversight of reconstruction contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense
Chertoff, lawmaker clash over chemical security bill
Measure would require the department to issue new security regulations by October 2009.
Defense
House panel to vote on EPA, OMB contempt charges next week
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., wants documents regarding White House involvement in EPA decisions over ozone and California's vehicle emissions standard.
Defense
Gates taps panel to evaluate stewardship of nuclear arsenal
Blue-ribbon task force is a who’s who of former senior national security officials.
Defense
House panel backs retirement benefits boost for border officers
Bill also limits funding for new DHS personnel system.
Defense
Panel votes to crack down on veterans' grave vandals
Metal grave markers are being stolen from the grave sites of veterans either as an act of vandalism or to get the metal to sell to scrap yards.
Defense
House panel backs big boost for veterans' programs
Funding would pay for 1,400 more claims processers, above the 703 additional personnel Bush requested to cut the backlog in requests for benefits.
Defense
Positive trends in Iraq belie deeper security challenges, says top military officer
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen says services already are preparing to brief the next president after the elections.
Defense
Committee revives debate over green card allocation
Members continue to push legislation that would allow more highly skilled foreign workers into the United States.
Defense
Republicans seek hearing on withdrawal of border troops
GOPers argue there will be "nowhere near" enough Border Patrol agents to secure the border when National Guard troops are withdrawn next month.
Defense
Appropriators add $2.3 billion to to DHS spending bill
Plan includes a boost in funding for grant programs and efforts to find and deport criminal illegal immigrants inside the United States.
Defense
Republican lawmakers press DHS on border fence
House members seek 700 miles of double-layered fencing along the border with Mexico.
Defense