Defense
DHS official: Airlines best suited to run fingerprint program
Industry argues that taking fingerprints of foreigners is an inherently governmental function.
Defense
Pay disparities hamper efforts to deploy civilians to war zones
Report finds both real and perceived differences in compensation among agencies that have sent employees to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense
Senate panel backs 3.9 percent military pay raise
Committee also approves the Army's $3.9 billion request for the eventual $160 billion Future Combat Systems.
Defense
Senator tries again to form panel to probe war contracts
North Dakota lawmaker says oversight is needed to combat contracting abuses in Iraq.
Defense
ADVICE+DISSENT: Intelligence File Reconcilable Differences
A little disagreement is a good thing.
Defense
Navy forms fleet to serve Western Hemisphere
Ships, aircraft and submarines will dispense humanitarian relief quickly to the Caribbean and Central and South Americas.
Defense
Witnesses cite prostitution, other contracting abuses in Iraq
Senate Democratic panel told of contractors using armored cars to shuttle prostitutes from Kuwait to Baghdad hotels.
Defense
Defense, VA urged to spend more on mental health, brain injury treatments
Better treatment for post-traumatic stress and brain injuries would result in cost savings, RAND official says.
Defense
Lawmakers: Defense must root out cause of weapons program overruns
House committee members say leaders have been too focused on the symptoms rather than underlying “culture of complacency.”
Defense
House chairman wants civilian agencies to play larger role in Iraq
Ike Skelton, D-Mo., plans to insert language into the fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill requiring more cooperation.
Defense
Opinions divided over chances for final budget resolution
House Appropriations Committee needs to approve supplemental spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan first.
Defense
Reconstruction teams hindered by lack of resources, skills
House committee is “amazed” that groups’ missions in Iraq, Afghanistan are not more defined.
Defense
Pentagon urged to develop investment plan for space acquisitions
Department has made progress in managing low-cost satellite program by creating a joint office to oversee it.
Defense
Homeland Security alters ID review process for air passengers
Department will allow airlines to keep a person's date of birth in their records, which can be used to clear up mismatches with the watch lists.
Defense
Licenses, border security to be examined at Tuesday hearing
Senate Committee will look at Real ID law and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Defense
Anthropologists lend military insight into customs, values of foreign cultures
The Pentagon plans to spend $150 million this year on social science research to better understand tribal cultures and social networks in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense
House chairman opposes Navy bid for smaller carrier fleet
Lawmakers have raised concerns that the Navy is trying to skirt a provision that requires the service to maintain at least 11 carriers.
Defense
DHS moves to ramp up cybersecurity in federal agencies
Homeland Security will deploy 50 new intrusion detection systems across government.
Defense
More domestic spending sought in emerging supplemental
Extra $3 billion to $4 billion would come in addition to funds for new unemployment benefits and GI education.
Defense