Defense

Withdrawal from Iraq would prompt new challenges

Pullout would require careful planning for a contingency the commander-in-chief won't even discuss.

Defense

Forward Observer: Quagmire Costs

Taxpayers are paying more and getting less for their money because of the Pentagon's failure to hold down the costs of new weapons.

Defense

High-priority security bill remains stalled

Completion of wartime supplemental spending legislation has taken precedence; Bush has threatened to veto both measures.

Defense

House panel probes latest DHS personnel overhaul

Lawmakers question whether Human Capital Operational Plan will address morale problems.

Defense

VA to debut new patient tracking system

New version of Defense application will allow tracking of records from the battlefield to VA hospitals.

Defense

Pentagon prevents military officers from testifying before House panel

Mid-level officers blocked from speaking at closed-door House briefing about efforts to train and organize Iraqi security forces.

Defense

Senate group close to immigration deal

Deal may depend on development of more sophisticated border security and tracking systems.

Tech

Lawmaker ‘disappointed’ by DHS cybersecurity progress

Agency official says coordinating better IT security practices across government is a high priority.

Defense

Conferees soften contracting language in wartime funding bill

Negotiators drop provision that would have cut money, compromising with one that would fence off funds until a report on contracting is complete.

Defense

Senators question millions in defense firm's award fees

KBR received generous payments despite criticisms almost every month relating to costs and contract management.

Defense

House panel questions plan to trim federal guards

Homeland Security official says proposal to rely on contract security personnel would refocus resources without diminishing protection.

Defense

Dems prepare backup option in case of war funding veto

Military officials say they need supplemental money by June 1; research service says Pentagon could make do a month longer.

Defense

House panel mulls stalled progress on biodefense program

Incentives for companies to go through long, costly vaccine development process are weak, federal officials acknowledge.

Defense

Deepwater contractors face Justice probe

Lawmaker applauds Coast Guard move to take back management of fleet upgrade, but says corrective legislation still a possibility.

Tech

Lawmakers say technology needed to secure border

Republican calls on industry to help develop technology for document security and identity verification.

Management

Settlement allows Army Corps to shift IT work

Losing bidder Northrop Grumman had appealed decision to award work to team made up of federal employees and contractors from Lockheed Martin.

Defense

Coast Guard to take over management of fleet upgrade

Service will decommission eight new 123-foot patrol boats converted under the program, now has fewer boats to meet expanded mission.

Defense

Lawmakers seek Justice probe of Deepwater problems

Committee has called nearly 20 industry and government officials to testify at a hearing to examine missteps in fleet upgrade program.

Tech

Justice taps contractor for troubled wireless project

Interagency program has struggled in part because of a fractured relationship between the Justice and Homeland Security departments.

Defense

Bush intensifies drumbeat for spending bill without troop limits

White House hints that non-Iraq related additions might be an area where the president and Democrats could compromise.