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.
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