Defense

Measure seeks to permanently correct military pay inequity

New bill would allow untaxed combat pay to count as income for tax credits.

Defense

Lawmakers blast DHS officials for slow response to data requests

Under executive order, managers’ job performance will be judged in part on timeliness of answers to congressional queries.

Defense

Key lawmaker calls Homeland Security budget request 'inadequate'

Appropriator says he is not confident the budget would address priorities including modernizing Coast Guard vessels.

Tech

Push for standard federal worker IDs faces challenges

By late October 2008, all employees and contractors must have IDs that meet a new standard.

Defense

Lawmakers criticize handling of DHS contracts

Members of House panel explore ballooning costs of Coast Guard modernization project and oversight issues with border initiative.

Defense

Officials admit private security firm was hired under Iraq logistics contract

Lawmakers question visibility of tiered subcontracting; Republicans assail hearing as inappropriate.

Defense

Auditor cites progress resolving flaws in Biowatch program

House Homeland Security Committee still plans to revisit the program this year.

Defense

Lawmaker wants Justice to probe border-shooting charges

House Homeland Security panel may review whether the Border Patrol had enough personnel and managers on duty.

Defense

Army trims and stretches future combat program

Officials say they had to balance immediate needs with future goals, but stress commitment to modernization.

Defense

Defense officials share concerns on readiness of U.S.-based forces

Officials assure lawmakers the ongoing congressional debate over the Iraq war will not harm troop morale.

Defense

Federal Protective Service may cut hundreds of jobs

Positions, including immigration enforcement agent slots, could open up elsewhere within Homeland Security Department.

Defense

TSA chief defends rail, mass transit security measures

Democrats skewered TSA for failing to produce the comprehensive rail mass transit security plan mandated by a 2003 White House executive order.

Defense

Dems blast U.S. officials for wasting billions in Iraqi money

Coalition Provisional Authority did not track funds after dispersal to Iraqi ministries.

Defense

DHS agency to scour jails for illegal immigrants

Fiscal 2008 budget would grant immigration, customs agencies funding for staffing increases.

Defense

Budget signals troop surge expected to be short-lived

Supplemental request for fiscal 2008 covers costs for the number of troops deployed before announcement of new strategy.

Defense

Proposed cuts to first responder grants draw fire

Fiscal 2008 budget would provide about 35 percent less than Congress enacted for this year.

Defense

Defense budget looks to modernize, sustain force

Base budget of $481.4 billion is slightly above average annual spending during the Reagan administration buildup of the 1980s.

Defense

Homeland Security budget generous to Customs, Border agency

Budget request would allow the department to hire 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, bringing the total number of agents to almost 18,000.

Defense

Bush seeks billions of dollars for Army technology

Major areas of investment include unmanned aerial vehicles, manned and unmanned ground vehicles, and battlefield command-and-communications systems.

Defense

President proposes cuts to 141 programs

Nonsecurity spending would go up 1 percent in fiscal 2008.