Defense

Border Patrol looks to hire more women, minorities

Agency sees expansion as an opportunity to increase diversity.

Defense

Lawmakers chide Marines for expeditionary vehicle woes

Program has consumed $2.3 billion already, and vehicles will cost $17 million each -- nearly three times the unit cost estimated years ago.

Defense

Coast Guard extends fleet upgrade contract

Lawmakers advance bill that would require the agency to take over management of the program by October 2011.

Defense

New licenses get green light amid passport snarl

Accepting licenses to meet border security requirements could reduce the workload the State Department will face in issuing new passports.

Defense

USDA, Homeland Security urged to coordinate bird flu responses

GAO says agencies must define their roles in the case of a major outbreak, to head off a possible pandemic.

Defense

Immigration measure clears one hurdle, but others await

Legislation still has to pass at least two more 60-vote tests in the Senate this week, and faces opposition from conservatives on the House side.

Defense

Bush team to pick few fights over immigration bill add-ons

White House is opposed to one potential amendment, which would ease requirements for businesses to verify the legal status of employees.

Defense

Dems weigh new attempt to change course of Iraq war

Provision could be attached to the Defense spending bill, in a move some say is risky.

Defense

Senate may vote on immigration reform measure Friday

Timing and order of the amendment votes is being negotiated.

Defense

FEMA announces advisory council membership

New panel meant to increase local focus and cooperation for emergency preparedness.

Defense

Forward Observer: Beware Iran Hawks

Taking on Iran while U. S. forces are bogged down in Iraq would be inadvisable.

Defense

Lawmaker questions status of traveler screening program

Federal officials use the program to assign a "risk assessment" score to travelers entering the country by land, sea and air.

Defense

Appropriator ready to slash funds for Army future combat program

Subcommittee chairman says he will add money for more C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes.

Defense

FBI name checks blamed for immigration benefits delays

Ombudsman says number of long-pending cases grew in the past year, recommends risk-based approach.

Defense

Panel earmarks $80 million for high-tech battlefield gear

Add-on would help outfit two battalions in Iraq with advanced combat helmets, modified rifles, digital imagery and other equipment.

Defense

Border bill backers seek boost in enforcement provisions

Proposed amendment will include jail time for immigrants who enter the country illegally or overstay temporary visas after the measure is enacted.

Defense

Air Force still pressing to control unmanned aerial vehicle programs

Proposal has received significant attention on Capitol Hill, where both the House and Senate Armed Services panels have asked the military to review the matter further.

Defense

Protective service under fire for oversight of contract guards

Hundreds of contract guards went unpaid for as many as six weeks.

Defense

Dems, Bush prepare for battle over spending levels

Democrats have exceeded Bush’s $933 billion budget request by about $23 billion.

Defense

DHS chief opposes alternative approach to worker eligibility checks

Michael Chertoff says proposed addition to immigration bill would allow illegal workers to hide by remaining in their current jobs.