Oversight
Ready to Rumble
If Rick Perry enters the presidential race, look for him and Michele Bachmann to duke it out.
Oversight
Economic benefits of regulations outweigh costs, OMB says
First governmentwide analysis since Obama-ordered regulatory review stresses job creation and data-based decision-making.
News
From Nextgov: DHS debuts Energy Star-like system for software security
Ratings will help agencies weed out products with vulnerabilities, and would give companies a financial incentive to take safety measures.
Pay & Benefits
Proposal would make lawmakers wait longer to tap pensions
Bill ties access to annuities to the Social Security retirement age.
Oversight
White House debt deal meeting 'good' and 'constructive,' spokesman says
"Everyone in the room believes that a significant deal remains possible," Obama said, after meeting with Biden, Reid.
Defense
U.S. to begin 'thinning out' its Afghan forces
Initial changes will generally involve shifting troops around within the country, not taking them out entirely.
Oversight
'Mystery shoppers' to help administration assess primary care physicians
Program will gauge doctors' availability and whether they prefer patients with private insurance.
Defense
Fire closing in on Los Alamos National Laboratory
Officials call for mandatory evacuation of town adjacent to the nuclear lab.
Tech
Lady Techs
Report finds the number of women in federal IT grew 36 percent in the past 20 years.
Tech
From Nextgov: White House proposal could open computer networks to insider threats
Industry group cautions against getting auditors involved in assessing security.
Defense
Lawmakers push rotational assignments for security workers
Bill would move homeland and national security employees across federal agencies.
Oversight
New bill would improve Peace Corps volunteer safety
Legislation would extend federal whistleblower protections to volunteers and institute measures to handle and prevent rape and assault.
Defense
Washington loses patience with counterinsurgency in Afghanistan
It isn’t just people who are dying in Afghanistan. So is an entire concept of war.
Oversight
Debt-ceiling talks move toward the end game
Republicans left Biden panel Thursday, calling for President Obama to get more involved in negotiations.
Defense