Defense

IG recommends early contracting personnel involvement in reconstruction

Contingency procurement rules and a unified contracting entity also could improve post-conflict response, report says.

Defense

Senate approves measures to improve Defense accountability

Spending bill amendment limiting the annual military travel budget to $70 million passes by voice vote.

Defense

Defense bill includes funding for landmine detection bees

Honey bees have the potential to sweep for mines faster than dogs, and put the dogs and their handlers out of danger.

Defense

Prospects for security bills wane as campaigns beckon

Measures passed at the committee level in both the House and Senate, including port security legislation, stand better chance.

Defense

Defense bill attracts potential border security additions

Proposed amendments seek billions to deter illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Defense

Lawmakers question Boeing’s ethical commitments

In light of a recent settlement agreement, senators probe, and largely accept, company’s intentions.

Defense

Legislator urges extra oversight of TSA contract management

Report describing possible overpayment for explosives detection illustrates the need for more review, House member says.

Defense

Senator seeks to take chemical security bill fight to the floor

Measure authorizing DHS to regulate chemical facilities has been bogged down over objections from more than a dozen senators.

Defense

Senate acts quickly to add funds for military equipment

Spending bill amendment approved unanimously would give $7.8 billion more to the Army and $5.3 billion more to the Marine Corps.

Defense

Variety of objections imperil chemical security bill

Bipartisan group of 14 senators sent Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a letter stating several concerns they want resolved before floor debate.

Defense

GSA seeks system for gathering governmentwide travel data

Information from central repository would be used for management reports on government travel trends.

Defense

Senator urges passage of Defense spending bill before recess

Approval before August break would allow more time to finish conference negotiations by the end of the fiscal year.

Defense

Lawmakers push insurance backstop for natural disasters

Program would be administered by the federal government and would need to hedge any risk exposure to protect taxpayers.

Defense

Advocates seek broader protections for chemical plant whistleblowers

Language in chemical security bill does not offer enough outlets for reporting wrongdoing, watchdog groups say.

Defense

Senior Democrats urge phased troop withdrawal from Iraq

Letter to Bush comes as Senate GOP leaders were hoping to fit in action on the fiscal 2007 Defense appropriations bill before August recess.

Defense

FEMA chief details preparations for hurricane season

Staff of disaster assistance employees has doubled from about 4,000 before Katrina to about 8,000.

Defense

House panel approves chemical security bill

Measure would allow DHS to regulate plants and would require the department to place them into one of four risk-based tiers.

Defense

Appropriators reject DHS funds transfer request

Federal Protective Service told to consider longer-term planning, explore fee increases.

Defense

Senate panel approves FEMA overhaul measure

Bill would keep agency within DHS, give administrator a direct advisory role with the president.

Defense

DHS chief revises forecast for fully securing U.S. borders

Department plans to have more than 18,300 Border Patrol agents hired by the end of 2008, which would double the force from 2001 levels.