Defense

Bird flu fears raise quarantine questions

President Bush has suggested a military-enforced quarantine in the event of a pandemic, but the idea gives others pause.

Defense

Homeland Security to expand biometric visitor tracking system

Critics say administration is moving too slowly on other border security initiatives.

Defense

Bill makes DHS secretary eligible for presidential succession

House panel backs plan to place secretary of Homeland Security eighth in line to succeed president.

Defense

Pentagon mobility study unlikely to impact budget

Comprehensive review seeks to define mix of aircraft and ships needed to transport troops to hotspots worldwide.

Defense

Bush to name first DHS preparedness chief

George Foresman currently serves as the Virginia governor's assistant for preparedness.

Defense

Mayors' group urges bigger military role in emergency response

U.S. Conference of Mayors also recommends "fixing" role of Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Defense

Concerns linger about plan to bring overseas-based troops home

An independent commission has raised questions about the Pentagon's effort to transform the military into a more expeditionary force based in the United States.

Defense

After Katrina, Justice weighs changes to wireless communications upgrade

Solicitation for Integrated Wireless Network moves forward, but hurricane prompts review of requirements.

Defense

Base closures now face little opposition

Joint resolution disapproving independent base-closing commission's final recommendations attracts support of only a handful of House members.

Defense

Homeland Security mulls cyber czar nomination

Department has yet to nominate candidate for the job.

Defense

White House says Katrina inquiry helps with latest storm

Preliminary findings being implemented in preparation for Wilma.

Defense

Federal government’s role in bird-flu response limited

Role would be largely policy-oriented and advisory, observers say.

Defense

Homeland Security chief plans to retool FEMA

Agency needs larger staff, better communications capabilities, secretary says.

Defense

Defense authorization bill back on track

Democrats will have difficulty introducing provision on independent Katrina commission.

Defense

Senators blast TSA over rail security efforts

Agency has no clear priorities for protecting rails and has not completed a risk assessment, senators and a GAO representative say at Commerce Committee hearing.

Defense

House taps Navy fund for urinal study

Move illustrates growing tendency to tack earmarks onto operations budgets.

Defense

House panel to probe federal medical response capacity

Committee interested in what responses to Katrina and Rita say about ability to handle terrorist attack.

Defense

DHS chief describes confusion in Katrina response

Federal effort was plagued by communications gaps, Michael Chertoff tells lawmakers.

Defense

Senate panel backs bill to create biodefense agency

New organization would act “as the single point of authority” for research and development of medical countermeasures against bioterrorism and natural disease outbreaks.

Defense

Military's looming cash shortage spurs talks on spending bill

Funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan might be depleted by mid-November.