Defense

Justice Department to get a national security chief

Patriot Act reauthorization would create a division to oversee counter-terrorism, counter-espionage and FISA-warrant-seeking shop.

Defense

Administration officials say port takeover underwent rigorous review

Deputy Defense secretary says more U.S. warships reside in the United Arab Emirates than anywhere in the world outside of the United States.

Defense

Battle looms over Pentagon plan to cut B-52 bomber force

Air Force wants to put money saved into upgrades for remaining bombers.

Defense

Report: Plan for border surveillance system posed too many risks

GAO backs Homeland Security Department’s decision to re-evaluate program to install sensors, cameras and databases along the borders.

Defense

Controversial counter-terror program lives on

Total Information Awareness, which lawmakers halted more than two years ago, was stopped in name only, National Journal has learned.

Defense

White House: Agencies remain unprepared for disasters

Report avoids blaming specific officials for Katrina failures, backs decision to strip FEMA of preparedness activities.

Tech

Homeland Security gets half of IT boost in Bush budget

Administration’s fiscal 2007 request would increase technology funding for DHS by 21 percent.

Defense

Congress to look at agencies' efforts to fight avian flu

Panel examining whether DHS, HHS initiatives are integrated.

Defense

Senate leader could produce own border security bill

Aide says Majority Leader Bill Frist is poised to write separate legislation depending on what kind of bill emerges from Judiciary Committee.

Defense

Intelligence CIO seeks product certification overhaul

Process for validating new technologies should be standardized across agencies, Dale Meyerrose says.

Defense

Senator changes position on reducing Navy's aircraft carrier fleet

Quadrennial Defense Review influences key senator’s newfound support for plans to cut aircraft carriers in favor of expanding overall fleet.

Defense

State Department unveils trial of electronic passports

Privacy advocates say that despite modifications, new documents remain vulnerable.

Defense

Lawmakers demand information on sale of U.S. port operations

Process that would allow a state-owned Dubai company to operate ports comes under scrutiny.

Defense

TSA told not to count on increased passenger fees

Chair of appropriations subcommittee accuses agency’s director of submitting an unrealistic budget plan.

Defense

Rumsfeld defends budget decisions on weapons systems

Defense secretary also stands by his decision to stop production of C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes in 2008.

Defense

Overhaul of emergency management system urged

Democrats call for removal of FEMA from Homeland Security, but DHS secretary resists calls for restructuring.

Defense

McCain to probe Air Force contracting for cargo planes

Officials say Air Force will enter a more transparent agreement with aircraft maker Lockheed Martin by the end of the year.

Defense

Committee grills Army leaders on cuts

Plan to cut number of planned combat brigades by nearly 10 percent while continuing heavy deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan met with skepticism came from both sides of the aisle.

Defense

First responders detail emergency communications problems

Key issues include lack of equipment standards, inadequate funding and turf wars among federal, state and local officials.

Defense

Senators grill Homeland Security chief over Katrina response

Chertoff admits preparations before the storm were inadequate and says he got conflicting information about damage from the hurricane.