Defense
Senate to debate war funding next week
Fiscal conservatives have objected to bill’s $106.5 billion price tag.
Defense
Immigration enforcers want to mine databases
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff wants Congress to pass legislation letting ICE investigators access Social Security data.
Management
Number of federal jobs opened to contractors to jump this year
Agencies plan to announce public-private competitions for more than 25,000 positions in fiscal 2006, OMB says.
Defense
Industry officials discuss plans for meeting federal ID standards
Officials say they are content with the standards and optimistic about meeting them.
Defense
Intelligence director’s refusal to cooperate with GAO irks lawmakers
GAO report calls for less restriction of sensitive but unclassified data.
Defense
DHS to look at alternatives to defend jets from missiles
So far program has been aimed at adapting military technology, but a new solicitation indicates DHS is expanding its options.
Defense
Unmanned subs would revolutionize warfare, analyst says
Development of advanced unmanned subs would give the Navy the world’s premier maritime fleet, according to the analyst.
Defense
Acting FEMA chief backs suggestions for improved disaster response
R. David Paulison says, however, that fixes will take several years.
Defense
FEMA employees laud suggestions for improved disaster response
Lack of coordination at agency blamed in IG report for post-Katrina lapses.
Defense
Religious groups join fight against national IDs
Groups are endorsing a proposal that would make New Hampshire the first state to reject the federal requirement.
Defense
Lawmaker widens probe of Cunningham contacts
House Armed Services Committee chairman asks staff to retrieve all relevant documents and communications dating back to 1991.
Defense
Employees accuse FEMA of racial bias in personnel decisions
NAACP is investigating several claims that blacks were overlooked for promotions and is considering a lawsuit.
Defense
Pentagon’s IT chief says credibility hurt by cost, schedule overruns
John Grimes says his office is stretched thin, and contractors now make up more than half his staff.
Defense
Telecom giant pulled into domestic eavesdropping controversy
Former AT&T technician alleges the company built a secret room to cull information from its residential Internet service, at NSA’s request.
Defense
Agencies struggle to get a handle on illegal immigrants
More than 100,000 of the illegal aliens caught by the government last year slipped away.
Defense
New Hampshire may buck feds over national IDs
The Granite State would be the first to refuse to comply with a federal statute requiring state-issued IDs to meet national standards by 2008.
Defense
Bill to limit Tricare fee hikes gains support in Senate
Pentagon has defended plan to increase fees for some military retirees; premiums have not been raised in 11 years.
Defense
Ex-FEMA chief endorses Bush nominee
James Lee Witt, director in the Clinton administration, remains concerned about agency’s future within DHS.
Defense
Pentagon online travel system moves forward
An average of 6,000 flights are processed each day on the Defense Travel System.
Defense