Defense

Fight over Pentagon proposal to raise health care fees begins

Plan to raise enrollment fees and deductibles on a sliding scale based on rank at retirement would save $11 billion over the next five years.

Defense

Senators decry slow progress on passenger screening projects

Transportation Security Administration director says comprehensive audit would be necessary to review one system, further delaying it.

Defense

Pentagon backs dual leaders in domestic crises

Placing a single person in charge of active-duty and Guard forces is not a good idea in such situations, Defense official says.

Defense

Pentagon to finish personnel system tweaks Friday

Working group is nearly done simplifying performance management system.

Defense

Iraq reconstruction funds may run out before projects finished

The less than $3 billion left is not enough to complete 87 water and 125 electric projects, inspector general says.

Defense

Navy sets shipbuilding goals requiring big funding boost

Plan submitted to lawmakers would increase fleet, which is the smallest it has been since just before World War I, by 30 ships in five years.

Defense

McCain rebukes Pentagon for emergency funding requests

Annual practice of submitting supplemental requests is "unacceptable and it's got to stop," senator tells Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Defense

DHS expects companies will have to verify workers’ immigration status

Department requests funding boost for Citizenship and Immigration Services in anticipation of new requirement.

Defense

Pentagon’s business transformation effort moves forward

Agency created to bring Defense modernization programs under one roof unveils organizational structure and first budget request.

Defense

Defense budget continues to climb

Technology transformation programs fare well, while some poor-performing or low priority items are recommended for reductions.

Defense

DHS budget emphasizes immigration reform, border security

Fiscal 2007 request also includes increases for efforts to detect weapons of mass destruction.

Defense

Pentagon review calls for more joint service operations

Document does not recommend canceling or otherwise altering many pricey conventional weapons systems in the works.

Defense

Energy's radiation-detection center to respond to DHS needs, chief says

Oak Ridge National Laboratory unit will work to make new technology quickly deployable by agencies such as Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

Defense

DHS to end 'catch and release' of illegal aliens in October

Program manager for Secure Border Initiative says top goal is developing a strategy to detain, deport all illegal immigrants.

Defense

Pentagon to seek $70B more to cover rising cost of war

Request brings projected cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to $120 billion this fiscal year.

Defense

Homeland Security agency to focus on information-sharing plans

Draft of national infrastructure protection plan has generated about 7,000 comments, official says.

Defense

Louisiana governor defends decision not to federalize Guard units

Mississippi governor says issue never came up because he made it clear from the beginning that he wanted to be in charge.

Defense

DHS increases capacity to detain, deport illegal immigrants

Department expands expedited removal program to all border areas, and awards contract for emergency detention facilities.

Defense

Top Pentagon officials preview results of major defense review

Document to be released next week will, among other things, attempt to streamline the Defense Department’s acquisition processes.

Defense

GAO: Defense lacks coordination needed for global information grid

Pentagon slated to spend about $34 billion over five years to develop grid.