Defense
Senate Democrats derail GOP effort to pass Defense bill
Delay makes it more likely a continuing resolution will be needed to cover the department’s initial fiscal 2007 expenses.
Defense
Spanish speakers at a premium at border and immigration agencies
Immigration and Customs Enforcement weighs language requirement for employees involved in detention of illegal immigrants.
Defense
Lawmakers may cut nuclear detection office funding
Senate committee recommends cutting more than $93 million from President Bush’s $535 million budget request for the office.
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