Defense

Subcommittee clears bill to step up screening of airport workers

Supporter cites four recent cases at different airports in which individuals misused their status as authorized employees.

Defense

VA chief outlines immediate changes in vets' health care

All arriving patients will be screened for brain injuries, which are common because of frequent percussive blasts in Iraq.

Defense

Homeland Security chief vows to win control of borders

Bipartisan group of House lawmakers asks DHS to immediately send more money to sheriffs along the southwest border.

Defense

Air Force seeks to recover funds diverted to Army

Service needs the money back to cover payroll and other personnel costs.

Defense

Auditors raise more questions about FEMA trailer contracts

Work was awarded to companies with poor finances and unrealistic pricing, IG finds.

Defense

Defense procurement chief backs interagency contracts

Top acquisition official says department is looking both inside and out to meet its acquisition needs.

Defense

Conferees pass spending bill with softened troop provisions

President Bush still likely to veto the measure despite compromise language setting non-binding targets for withdrawal.

Defense

Coalition sets goals for federal terrorism insurance backstop

Proposal calls for a permanent extension of the program, the inclusion of acts of domestic terrorism and a trigger no higher than the current $100 million level for federal reimbursement.

Defense

Denmark, U.S. military on parallel paths to e-health

Currently, the U.S. military health information exchange can send records to VA treatment centers but cannot receive records from the VA.

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.