Defense
Senate approves COLA hike for disabled vets
Bill provides 3.6 percent increase and also boosts benefits to surviving spouses and children.
News
Repeal of 3 percent contractor tax withholding gathers steam
Bipartisan support for canceling the revenue generator is evident as House vote nears.
Defense
Condoleezza Rice had tumultuous relationship with Cheney, memoir says
Cheney's staff was “very much of one ultra-hawkish mind," former secretary of State and national security adviser writes.
News
U.S. ambassador to Syria returns to Washington
Robert Ford is temporarily leaving his post while unrest in the country escalates.
News
Play of the Day -- Bill Maher on the 'ninja, black president'
A daily roundup of late-night video.
Tech
Feds on Facebook
More federal employees are using Facebook, Twitter and other social media at work and behalf of their agencies.
Pay & Benefits
GAO weighs in on Postal Service’s financial health
Report recommends eliminating or revising requirement for prefunding retiree health benefits, among other options.
News
Smoke signals from the super-secret committee
The deficit-reduction panel is bent on stopping leaks.
News
Design firm recommends revamping many government mobile apps
Software developers too often lack a clear vision of apps' primary users .
Defense
Obama: 'America's war in Iraq is over'
Remaining 43,000 troops will leave the country by the end of the year.
Pay & Benefits
FEHBP pharmacy changes stir up controversy
Proposal to bring all drug benefit negotiations in-house goes to super committee but draws some opposition.
Defense
FEMA urged to increase accountability
Improper payments and stretched resources affect the agency’s performance, lawmakers say.
Oversight
First piece of Obama's jobs proposals is blocked
Senators also reject bill that would have eliminated a rule that allows agencies to withhold 3 percent of payments to contractors.
Oversight
Senators: Time to end government 'budget gimmicks'
Republicans Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Olympia Snowe of Maine take aim at "culture of fiscal corruption" in Washington.
Oversight
Senate confirms Bryson as new Commerce secretary
Founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council replaces Gary Locke, who became ambassador to China in July.
Pay & Benefits