Defense
Increase in dangerous posts strains Foreign Service
State Department is facing staffing and training challenges as short-term hardship assignments become more common.
Defense
Web-based military health records system called bureaucratic, not technical, challenge
Commercial vendors say similar systems already are in place in the private sector.
Defense
Lawmaker probes need to streamline Homeland Security oversight
Top Democrat on Homeland Security panel seeks GAO review; ranking member already convinced overhaul is necessary.
Defense
Bush pushes lawmakers to act on spying bill
Administration is urging Congress to move fast to broaden the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Defense
Rumsfeld faces House oversight panel on Tillman death
Hearing witnesses say there was no attempt at a cover-up, but acknowledge the Army failed to follow rules in informing family of circumstances.
Defense
House lawmaker joins bid to end TSA contracting exemption
Senators are making a similar effort; witnesses at hearing say changes would bring greater transparency, more competition.
Defense
Frustrations raised over delays in frequent traveler program
Transportation Security Administration chief says the agency supports the program, but has to focus on other priorities.
Defense
Democrats say additional money is needed for war
Unbudgeted needs associated with surge of troops in Iraq could reach $30 billion or more, House appropriators estimate.
Defense
Coalition stands firm in support of national ID law
The Homeland Security Department estimated earlier this year that it will cost states as much as $23 billion to implement the law.
Defense
Budget office says war costs may top $1 trillion over 10 years
Already, Congress has appropriated $602 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan and other efforts in the war against terrorism.
Defense
Hill concerns persist over FEMA's readiness for disasters
House member says lines of authority remain blurred and local officials are frustrated; agency chief cites progress.
Defense
Panel agrees to send bills on Iraq, troops to House floor
Measures would require report from the Bush administration on status of plans to decrease troops in Iraq, mandate breaks between deployments.
Defense
Forward Observer: Last Best Chance
Partitioning Iraq into Shia, Sunni and Kurdish states may be the best way to foster stability.
Defense
Lawmakers send 9/11 bill to Bush’s desk
Republicans point out that the bill fails to consolidate congressional oversight of homeland security affairs.
Defense
Senate passes $40.6 billion in homeland security spending
Bill would provide only $5 million for department’s new personnel system, $10 million less than the amount President Bush requested.
Defense
Immigration issues sidetrack Senate work on spending bill
Majority leader argues Republicans were attempting to re-legislative immigration reform with request for $3 billion in additional border security funds.
Defense
Defense spending bill clears House committee
Measure would cut $406 million from future combat program request, cancel reconnaissance helicopter program due to cost overruns and schedule delays.
Defense
Senate Republicans seek increase in border security funding
The GOP senators did not commit when asked whether they would vote to override the veto Bush has threatened over excess spending already in the bill.
Defense