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.
Defense
Panel criticizes FEMA's handling of flood insurance program
Agency accused of failing to implement program overhaul enacted nearly 16 months ago.
Defense
Rumsfeld seeks to scale back 'burdensome' reports
Defense secretary tells Pentagon officials to push for changes in "obsolete" laws and work on legislation to give department greater management flexibility.
Defense
DHS failed to use catastrophe response plan in Katrina’s wake
Department defends decision, saying plan was meant for unforeseen disasters.
Defense
Chertoff calls for the end of 'catch and release'
Homeland Security secretary says 1,500 Border Patrol agents are being hired to beef up enforcement.
Defense
9/11 commissioners at odds with former backers
Members of panel disagree with key senators on proposal to change formula for first-responder grants.
Defense
Senators spar over changes to future combat system
McCain, appropriators in tangle over spending bill language.
Defense
Senators may review military's domestic role
Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, R-Va., will decide later this fall how to proceed with a congressional review of 1878 Posse Comitatus Act.
Defense
Katrina oversight proposals compete for Congress' attention
Move to establish central board to oversee recovery efforts appears to be on back burner.
Defense
Pentagon to house business programs in central agency
Various departmentwide initiatives would be included in agency’s portfolio.
Defense
CIA report offers fresh critiques of Iraq intelligence
Newly declassified study says intelligence agency managers failed to exercise quality control checks on analysis.
Defense
Senate backs more Defense R&D than Bush sought
Pentagon would receive $70.4 billion for R&D; Bush proposed $69.4 billion.
Defense
Emergency spending gives senators flexibility on Defense
Budget watchers say appropriators freed up large sums of money by transferring programs from the traditional budget to the $50 billion wartime emergency account.
Tech
Congress agrees to split off DHS cybersecurity unit
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff had proposed to break out cybersecurity division from department's information analysis and infrastructure protection organization.
Defense
Homeland Security sets uniform policy on prosecuting fraud
Rule allows department to go after fraudulent Katrina-related claims.
Defense
Ex-CIA officer heads to court for second time over proposed book
Gary Berntsen seeks to force agency to respond to suit over delays in pre-publication review of his book on operations in Afghanistan.
Defense
Systems cannot combat flu pandemic, health officials say
Problem is not tracking influenza but getting critical information on outbreaks to doctors and local emergency responders.
Defense