Defense
Defense purchases of services rise sharply
GAO auditors say competition and contract oversight are important to secure best deals for the Pentagon.
Defense
Congress sends wartime funding bill to Bush
Measure drops timelines for withdrawing troops from combat zones, replacing them with 18 benchmarks for the Iraqi government to demonstrate progress.
Defense
Senate panel approves intelligence authorization measure
Bill would require the disclosure of the overall funding requested, authorized and appropriated for intelligence.
Defense
Senator keeps program for alternate fighter jet engine alive
Proponent of second engine argues competition will result in savings and a better final product.
Defense
Army stockpiles, destroys WMD antidotes in Iraq
Millions of dollars worth of drugs are incinerated under policy stemming from belief that Saddam Hussein stockpiled weapons of mass destruction.
Defense
Panel to pave way for massive bio-defense facility
Bill would allow DHS to enter into a contract and begin construction on a state-of-the-art research center.
Defense
McCain seeks limits on Pentagon’s use of multiyear contracts
Proponents of the approach say savings are significant and worthwhile; critics argue such arrangements hinder oversight.
Defense
Key senators reject proposal for stand-alone FEMA
Leaders of Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs panel are opposed to another overhaul of the emergency response agency.
Defense
Senate panel to boost funding for Army future combat program
Increase would mark a departure from the House, which passed language last week that would slice $867 million from the program.
Defense
Lawmaker says Pentagon uncooperative in probe of Iraq forces
Subcommittee has faced "considerable difficulties" getting information and documents from the Defense Department, chairman says.
Defense
Oversight of Iraq reconstruction winding down
IG office will publish investigations of key companies and government contracting operations before closing shop at the end of 2008.
Defense
SBA study shows perils of analyzing small business contracts
Reviewers ran into conflicting and unreliable data in preparing report on small firms' performance in outsourcing contests.
Defense
Group urges funding of civilian units to back up Guard
Teams would focus on local emergencies, unlike the “Civilian Reserve Corps” proposed in President Bush’s State of the Union address.
Defense
Coalition targets employer verification in immigration bill
Group leader says DHS would have to enroll 30,000 employers a day to meet 18-month deadline.
Defense
DHS unveils specialized infrastructure protection plans
Homeland Security chief touts unprecedented coordination between the public and private sectors in developing strategy.
Defense
Forward Observer: Army in Extremis
With the Army’s budget set to be less than that of the Navy and Air Force through fiscal 2013, something has to give.
Defense
War supplemental talks break down over Iraq benchmarks
White House rejects Democrats’ offer to drop all domestic spending in exchange for keeping unit readiness requirements and timelines the president could waive.
Defense
Panel backs security grants, cuts modernization aid
Appropriators vote to provide about $700 million for the Coast Guard's fleet upgrade program, about $450 million less than current levels.
Defense
Labor panel rejects challenge to DHS union election
Decision upholds vote in favor of National Treasury Employees Union to represent 21,000 Customs and Border Protection employees.
Defense