Defense

Contract security guard program to see changes

Agency chief to announce reforms to make billing more efficient; lawmaker seeks better vetting of companies.

Defense

What's Brewin': Inside the world of defense information technology

Army headquarters just loves iTunes.

Defense

Pentagon still burdened with multiple back-office systems

Army official says service has 187 different financial management information systems.

Defense

Bush issues Iraq report as Senate argues over strategy

President indicates he will not make significant changes until a "more comprehensive assessment" is delivered in September.

Defense

Undercover officials get license to buy dirty bomb materials

GAO officials used name of bogus business to win approval to buy critical equipment.

Defense

Lawmakers demand speed, efficiency for port worker IDs

House members say they don’t want the Transportation Security Administration to sacrifice accuracy in the process, however.

Defense

Border Patrol apprehensions down along southern border

Agency says decrease indicates decline in illegal activity; union representative suspects activity has shifted to other areas.

Defense

Need for next war spending bill might be delayed

Administration official says money from last supplemental will be left after Sept. 30 because the funding came later than expected.

Defense

Lawmaker asks Homeland Security chief to explain attack warning

Chairman of House panel says Michael Chertoff should pick his words more carefully.

Defense

Officials criticize plan to scan all cargo

Current and former Customs and Border Protection chiefs say they favor increasing layers of security for containers.

Defense

Spread of RFID in Defense slower than expected

Full-scale implementation of requirement to use passive RFID systems to track supplies has been delayed.

Defense

Report details phone access problems in immigrant detention facilities

Review finds detainees often unable to contact lawyers, consulates or complaint hotlines.

Defense

GAO criticizes Defense combat supply operations

The services still have problems keeping track of supplies and spare parts, resulting at times in shortages for troops in the field or overstocking of material.

Defense

Senators push for Iraq withdrawal but keep options open

Potential amendment to authorization bill would require the administration to begin reducing the size of the U.S. military force in Iraq within 120 days.

Defense

Gulf Coast officials: FEMA understates project costs

State and local officials tell lawmakers that process for acquiring hurricane recovery funds is seriously flawed.

Defense

Homeland Security faces continued vacancies in high-level jobs

Congressional report says gaps threaten security, continuity of government; agency says it already is focused on filling positions.

Defense

Senate drops effort to grant airport screeners bargaining rights

President Bush had threatened veto of 9/11 Commission bill over provision; labor unions say they will continue to push the idea.

Defense

Appeals court vacates wiretapping ruling

Group that brought the case is reviewing its legal options, including going to the Supreme Court.

Defense

Democratic leaders call for action on 9/11 proposals

It remains unclear if an agreement can be reached in the Senate to allow the legislation to proceed to conference negotiations.

Defense

Homeland Security, E.U. reach agreement on passenger data sharing

New agreement attempts to strike balance between U.S. security and European Union concerns about passenger privacy.