Defense

Immigration agency gets new chief

A top priority for Emilio Gonzalez will be reducing the backlog of immigration applications.

Management

Defense spending bill renews job competition restrictions

Annual appropriations measure again includes prohibition against private firms gaining cost advantage by offering reduced health benefits.

Defense

Auditors doubt immigration agency will meet goal for eliminating backlog

Citizenship and Immigration Services has relied on temporary staff and overtime to cut mountain of applications.

Defense

Hurricane response shows gaps in public-private coordination

After Katrina, corporate officials and federal employees relied on personal connections, fortunate coincidences to join forces.

Defense

Senate clears Defense authorization measure

Bill containing a number of policy provisions, including language expanding military healthcare programs, awaits President Bush’s signature.

Defense

DHS urged to re-expand research at animal disease facility

Plum Island Animal Disease Center currently focuses on foot-and-mouth disease.

Defense

University of California keeps contract to manage Los Alamos

New contract worth $512 million over seven years seeks to draw on experience of big corporate players.

Defense

Homeland Security officials back Patriot Act reauthorization

Department chief says the 2001 law supports operations by ICE, CBP and the Secret Service.

Defense

Audit of controversial TSA contract due out next month

Homeland Security IG’s review of contract to hire screeners has been nearly complete for months.

Defense

Senate Republicans seek to avert 2007 Defense cuts

Six senators write President Bush, arguing that a $7.5 billion cut in spending slated for next year would jeopardize weapons systems advances.

Defense

Research funds headed for small, but noticeable, cuts

Cuts will leave most agencies’ research coffers flat, but are not as deep as some in science community had feared.

Defense

Chertoff touts risk management approach

Says new airline screening rules show DHS is not trying to "protect every single person against every risk at every moment at every place."

Defense

DHS chief: Major changes to FEMA coming soon

Reforms will cut bureaucratic red tape, bolster logistics systems, Michael Chertoff says.

Defense

Bush details plan for more effective information sharing

Strategy addresses department chiefs’ authorities, addresses coordination among federal, state and local governments.

Defense

TSA solicits feedback on plans for frequent flier program

The Transportation Security Administration is seeking industry and public input on its proposal to begin an airline passenger verification program.

Defense

Spending bill spares major weapons programs from big cuts

With support of key Senator, negotiators allot Navy’s next-generation destroyer program the full $1.8 billion requested

Defense

Defense measure includes language on military benefits

House version of authorization bill would expand healthcare system for National Guard and reserve troops, raise enlistment bonuses

Defense

Government flunks annual audit, again

Accounting problems at the Pentagon muddy the overall financial picture for the ninth year.

Defense

House panel seeks Katrina records

Special committee on hurricane response subpoenas Pentagon, awaits more information from White House.

Defense

House bill sets up corporation for Katrina redevelopment

Measure also would direct the spending of $17 billion already appropriated for hurricane relief to rebuilding communities and providing temporary housing for evacuees.