Defense
Lawmakers to weigh chemical security measures
In addition, House panel will take another look at how the Homeland Security Department is distributing anti-terrorism grants.
Tech
Unmanned border flights suspended despite Bush call for more
Bush border plan calls for use of drones to detect illegal crossings, but Border Patrol hasn’t flown one along the southern border since April crash.
Defense
Negotiators reach deal on supplemental spending bill
Senate appropriators agree to trim $14.4 billion from their version of bill to meet Bush's demands.
Defense
Subpanel votes to remove disaster housing from FEMA
Bill would shift responsibility to HUD and would allow only three emergency housing trailers per site to avoid crowding.
Defense
VA opposes bill to let veterans hire lawyers
Legislation being pushed in House and Senate would allow vets to use legal counsel to help in obtaining benefits.
Defense
Army weighs options for scaling back combat systems upgrade
Long-term program, now valued at between $160 billion and $200 billion, is one of the service’s most expensive technological efforts.
Defense
Corporate disaster response team hailed as model of efficiency
Time to fix communications infrastructure in typical scenario is less than 24 hours, AT&T officials say.
Defense
Chertoff warns senators against an independent FEMA
Separation would be costly and would make the government’s response to disasters less coordinated, DHS secretary argues.
Defense
House conflicted on extra pay for feds called to military duty
Bill would stem severe pay hit for federal employees serving in the Guard, reserves.
Defense
Lawmaker secures funds to upgrade ship Navy doesn't want
Service worries millions added to authorization bill for the catamaran will waste limited resources.
Defense
House defense appropriators fatten National Guard coffers
Subcommittee cuts Army's Future Combat Systems, an ambitious program valued at between $160 billion and $200 billion.
Defense
Lawmaker calls for CIA center to become independent agency
Center was established last November as the place for collecting and processing "open source intelligence," such as information that is available to the public in newspapers and books.
Defense
Lawmakers press improvements to Project Bioshield
Bills seek to promote development of new vaccines and encourage research on countermeasures.
Defense
Report: Air marshals concerned they are too visible
Rank and file also complain of long hours and vertigo; agency says some of the policies cited in complaints have been changed.
Defense
9/11 commissioners criticize unresolved security threats
Biggest challenge is containing enriched uranium, commission leaders tell House subcommittee.
Defense
House passes DHS spending bill as outcry continues over grants
Lawmakers ask Michael Chertoff for an explanation of his department’s decision to cut grant awards in some key urban areas.
Defense
Robotics seen as growth area for Defense Department
Policy needs to catch up with technology, panelists say; funding also a challenge.
Defense
Coast Guard leader: Disaster plan needs avian flu provisions
Response plan fails to adequately lay out responsibilities in the event of a flu pandemic, Adm. Thad Allen says.
Defense
Panel says Pentagon must improve relations with states
Governors have been kept out of the loop on Guard equipment and personnel issues, independent commission finds in preliminary report.
Defense