Defense

Lawmakers demand details on FEMA identity verification contract

Company points to praise of work it conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Defense

DHS to add biometric data to visitor tracking program

Proposal would cover about a million people, including those seeking immigrant or refugee status.

Defense

Legislators rip DHS contracting practices

Tight deadlines and other challenges are no excuse for poor management, House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis says.

Defense

Full visitor tracking system to require more time, money

Test programs capturing 10 fingerprints for US VISIT will begin next fiscal year.

Tech

New DHS privacy chief: I'll speak out if necessary

Critics say Hugo Teufel lacks adequate experience in privacy and government management.

Defense

Senator concerned contracting report may have been tainted

Official with ties to subcontractor on fighter jet program took part in discussions on report suggesting procurement strategy.

Tech

Lawmakers poised to pass emergency communications bill

Bill would require DHS to set goals and timeframes for achieving redundant and sustainable systems that work across jurisdictions.

Defense

Federal officials urge immediate preparation for pandemic

Threat should not be treated as hypothetical, HHS seasonal and pandemic flu coordinator says.

Defense

Panel aims to increase competition for services contracts

Group recommends allowing protests on task orders of $5 million or more.

Defense

Senator pursues earmarks for FBI expansion in Alabama

Effort would steer millions of dollars to facilities in Huntsville.

Defense

Lawmakers seek more trade inspectors

Decline in number of inspectors could slow progress on program offering importers incentives for extra security measures, legislator argues.

Defense

Boeing may halt future combat program work over money

Army is seeking a transfer of $295 million to avoid the stop in development work and potential layoffs associated.

Defense

More nations should get visa waivers, researchers say

Expanding program would reduce consular service needs, helping the State Department save money and resources, panelist argues.

Defense

FEMA outsources identity verification for disaster assistance

Agency also plans to issue checks, rather than debit cards.

Defense

Forward Observer: Hobson's Choices

Ohio lawmaker manages to kill weapons programs that don’t make sense to him without being called weak on defense.

Defense

Senate committee cuts funds for several major weapons programs

Cuts to Joint Strike Fighter, Army Future Combat Systems and other programs strip $9 billion from Pentagon’s 2007 budget submission.

Defense

Coast Guard chief seeking new maritime security strategy

FEMA and the Coast Guard benefit from and mutually support each other by being in the same department, Thad Allen says.

Tech

DHS names permanent privacy officer

Hugo Teufel will oversee compliance and protection of personal information.

Defense

TSA employee appeals firing for refusal to pat down passengers

Worker says he objected to conducting the searches on personal and religious grounds.

Defense

Panel moves bill to deal with pandemic, health disasters

Measure would make the secretary of HHS the lead federal official responsible for public health and medical responses to emergencies.