Defense
Senate panel narrowly approves fiscal 2007 budget plan
Blueprint would boost discretionary spending about 3.6 percent over this year, with the bulk of the increase going toward defense.
Defense
Senate panel votes to double size of border force
More than 10,000 Customs and Border Patrol agents would be added, and fences along the border would be upgraded.
Defense
Senators fear budget may shortchange Navy shipbuilding
Lawmakers also ask Marine Corps whether the supplemental spending bills allot enough for overhauls of equipment damaged in Iraq.
Defense
Democrats successfully push transportation security measures
Fight erupts over language providing incentives, grants to airports using private screening companies.
Defense
Defense business agency meeting goals, official says
The Pentagon’s Business Transformation Agency plans to hire private-sector “experts” to help push changes.
Defense
Request to boost special operations budget gains support
Funding would go toward adding troops, buying aircraft, and investments in civil affairs and psychological operations.
Defense
DHS official says next FEMA chief needs credentials
Emergency management experience could come from a variety of jobs, including law enforcement and firefighting, preparedness chief says.
Defense
Senators critical of Energy Department’s nuclear weapons spending
Lawmakers express concerns about efficiency, signal they are considering a funding cut.
Defense
Push to restore FEMA independence questioned
DHS inspector general cautions against simply "transferring the problem."
Defense
Senator may address spying concerns in supplemental funding bill
Lawmaker says he may resort to the power of the purse if he can’t get satisfactory answers on warrantless domestic eavesdropping program.
Defense
Homeland Security chief proposes screening of customer data
Suggestion could be viewed as “anti-privacy,” Michael Chertoff acknowledges.
Defense
Former White House staffer named to head DHS policy committee
The 28-year-old appointee may join list of inexperienced, but well-connected, homeland security picks.
Defense
Homeland Security grapples with management vacancies
Several senior management positions are open, notably ones critical to disaster response and terrorism prevention.
Defense
Maritime security measure gathers bipartisan support
Bill would require $400 million to be reserved annually for port security grants, an approach that diverges from the one favored by DHS.
Defense
New panel to begin in-depth review of military reserves
Preliminary report to be released in June will brief congressional committees on equipment shortages, troop strength and other issues.
Defense
New IT budget figures still show big boost for DHS
Homeland Security’s proposed technology budget for next year emphasizes border and transportation security programs.
Defense
Agencies may have trouble meeting ID card deadline, GAO says
Challenges include testing and acquisition of commercial cards and card readers within required timeframe.
Defense
Army seeks to restore $3 billion for tank upgrades
Wish list for funding beyond what is in the 2006 supplemental bill and 2007 budget request also includes $400 million to buy 1,145 Humvees.
Defense
Ex-FEMA director: Restore agency's independence
In an interview, Michael Brown says disaster response agency gets “short shrift” next to the Homeland Security Department’s anti-terrorism activities.
Defense