Defense
Lawmakers lash out at security clearance backlog
House lawmakers demand action to reduce backlog of 188,000 contractor clearance requests at the Pentagon.
Defense
House panel votes for two-year delay of base closings
One lawmaker warns, however, that pushing back the schedule could result in a more aggressive round of closures.
Defense
Military unlikely to win environmental exemption
A House subcommittee chairman says he has no plans to move a measure exempting Defense agencies from environmental laws this year.
Defense
Administration to request $25 billion military supplemental
GOP leaders predict strong support for a stopgap spending measure to fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense
OPM puts security clearance merger plans on ice
Agency postpones absorbing Defense unit, a move that may have speeded up the security clearance process at the Pentagon.
Defense
Senate panel backs 3.5 percent military pay raise
Subcommittee also votes to implement a health care program for Guard and Reserve troops.
Defense
Lawmakers unveil $4 billion plan to increase military
Members of the House Armed Services Committee estimate that increasing the size of the military will cost $4 billion per year, but would relieve overextended Guard and Reserve soldiers.
Defense
U.S. wants to place immigration inspectors at foreign airports
The Homeland Security Department will put inspection teams at foreign airports to identify possible terrorists and immigration violators before they board planes coming to the United States.
Defense
Democrats propose plan to boost biological defenses
Arguing that the Bush administration's Project Bioshield doesn't go far enough, they seek to speed development of drugs that counter biological agents.
Defense
Senate intelligence panel approves authorization bill
Measure includes a series of proposals to restructure intelligence agencies and operations.
Defense
New attack plane faces cuts as defense bill takes shape
The F/A-22 could face $300 million in cuts to help pay for an increase in troop strength.
Defense
War on terror eclipses homeland security effort
Two and a half years after 9/11, the Bush administration remains primarily focused on waging a war on terrorism abroad. The effort to establish, organize, fund and manage the Homeland Security Department has taken a back seat.
Defense
White House officials call for renewal of anti-terrorism law
Bush administration officials on Tuesday criticized the "misinformation" that has proliferated regarding the 2001 USA PATRIOT Act.
Defense
TSA searches for solutions to shore up rail security
In a test program, passengers and baggage at a suburban Maryland rail transit station will be screened for explosives for 30 days.
Defense
Senator insists budget absorb increases in troop strength
The Bush administration should have asked for funds for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in its $401.7 billion fiscal 2004 budget request, lawmaker contends.
Defense
Army commander says gear for Iraq moving slowly but steadily
Slowdowns in parts and equipment delivery have not affected readiness rates in Iraq.
Defense
Key Democrat plans series of bills on homeland security
A top member of the House Homeland Security Committee presses its Republican members to pass a strong homeland security authorization bill.
Defense
Congress weighs creating nation-building agency
A bipartisan group of senators makes a push for 250-member civilian "response-readiness corps" that would be deployed on short notice to crisis areas.
Defense
Study shows homeland spending boosts other programs
A new report shows that nearly one-third of the money earmarked for homeland security in fiscal 2004 paid for non-homeland security activities.
Defense