Management

Tackling the Bottlenecks in the Drug Development Pipeline

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences is taking steps that could lead to faster, and cheaper, drug development cycles.

Oversight

Issa quizzes SEC on possible overuse of consultants

Criticism of Booz Allen contract includes mention of whistleblower lawsuit.

Pay & Benefits

No separate paid holiday for feds on Inauguration Day

Calendar quirk means the inauguration will be combined with a normal public holiday for MLK Day.

Defense

Why John Brennan's path to the CIA is easier than four years ago

Brennan previously withdrew amid controversy over his service in the George W. Bush administration.

Pay & Benefits

Retirement claims backlog falls 57 percent in 2012

Slow December provides a lull before an expected influx of applications this month.

Defense

6 reasons Obama chose Chuck Hagel

The Vietnam veteran and former senator shares the president's goals and worldview.

Management

Hillary Clinton returns to work after hospital stay

Secretary of State may testify about September attacks in Benghazi, Libya.

Management

No, Paul Krugman does not want to be Treasury Secretary

The economist says an administration job would reduce his influence.

Management

Six Helpful Resources for New Federal Leaders

The six “go to” topics for incoming political appointees as well as for veteran career executives preparing for 2013.

Pay & Benefits

TSP board on debt ceiling: No cause for concern

Notice reiterates that all investments are guaranteed by federal government.

Oversight

The 5 top Republicans open to shutting down government to get their way

Failing to raise the debt limit would provide leverage to achieve GOP priorities.

Nextgov

Defense law aims to preempt software supply chain attacks

Pentagon officials must provide regular briefings on cyber operations and the evolution of Cyber Command.

Defense

Report: Obama to tap John Brennan as CIA director

Brennan is the president's top counter-terrorism adviser.

Defense

Expected Defense secretary nominee has reputation for going rogue

Former Republican senator Chuck Hagel may face a tough confirmation battle.

Pay & Benefits

Feds see paychecks shrink with payroll tax hike

Employees feel the pain as pay freeze extension and higher tax converge.

Nextgov

VA’s paperless claims system slows to a crawl

Examiners trying to access files stored in the cloud experienced significant delays.

Management

Thankless job awaits Jack Lew if he heads to Treasury

New chief must deal with a series of mini-cliffs, in a highly partisan environment.

Management

The Bigger the Data, the Larger the Deception

Some forecasts are surprisingly accurate while others are shockingly dismal.