Defense

Federal travel spending drops

Big drop at Defense department leads to overall drop in travel expenditures from fiscal 2005 to 2006.

Defense

NASA report rebuts astronaut drinking allegations

Safety chief finds no evidence astronauts flew drunk, says agency has policies in place to prevent unsafe behavior.

Defense

Contractors seek delay in USAID vetting system

Trade association cites “numerous ambiguities” in system aimed at ensuring foreign aid funds don’t go to groups associated with terrorism.

Defense

Politics, war drawdown will determine Defense spending

Democrats on Capitol Hill unlikely to put on the brakes immediately, but pullout from Iraq looms in 2008.

Defense

Procurement spending continues upward climb

Driven by the war effort and health-related expenditures, federal procurement is skyrocketing.

Defense

FEMA looks to private sector for disaster provisions

New third-party system will be the primary focus of the agency’s logistics operation in fiscal 2008, official says.

Defense

Officer overseeing Iraq reconstruction projects urges patience

Security requirements are making the projects especially challenging, Army Corps official says in interview with Government Executive .

Defense

DHS issues range of traveler screening rules

Department publishes final regulation allowing TSA to take over checking airline passengers against government watch lists.

Defense

Homeland Security to broaden sharing of visitor data

Officials now plan to share information regularly with intelligence agencies.

Defense

Activist to sue Defense Department claiming religious bias

Former Air Force judge advocate alleges the military is promoting fundamentalist Christianity.

Defense

Lawmakers propose nuclear plant no-fly zones

Regulatory commission and Homeland Security officials say existing measures are sufficient.

Defense

Watchdog urges Defense agency to better control interagency buys

Missile Defense Agency failed to properly manage interdepartmental purchase requests, IG finds.

Defense

OPM unveils technology to speed security clearance processing

If pilot is successful, all agencies could begin receiving background check files electronically by Oct. 1.

Defense

DHS aims to spur innovation in radiation detection

Office is asking universities to work on finding shielded material, detecting material at greater distances, miniaturizing detectors and improving analysis.

Defense

An eye toward a future with electronic passports

Chips could become fast and reliable enough to allow the electronic issuance of visas in five years.

Defense

Appropriators question funding for emergency wireless project

Senators express concern about "lagging progress, as well as the recurring costs of the conversion" to narrowband operations.

Defense

Homeland Security chief touts faster cargo scanning

Recently signed law requires DHS to ensure, within five years, that all U.S.-bound ship cargo is scanned at foreign ports.

Defense

Army Guard says $2 billion shortfall threatens 2008 recruiting

Guard may have to lay off as many as 800 recruiters and stop awarding enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses if deficit isn’t addressed.

Defense

Army suicides on the rise

Growth raises questions about mental health care provided to service members.

Defense

Senate leader wants panels to pursue spy law changes

Majority leader urges committee chairs to be aggressive in examining recently-enacted provisions that sunset in six months.