News

Senators propose shrinking federal vehicle fleet

Coburn and Sheehan say 20 percent reduction could save $500 million.

Defense

Petraeus acknowledges differences with Obama over Afghan drawdown

President's plan is significantly faster than the general had wanted.

Oversight

Federal grant-making procedures could be consolidated, controller says

House hearing focuses on reducing waste through improving transparency and strengthening grants website.

News

From Nextgov: Southwest fire center battles worst blazes in 28 years

Software tools help predict fire behavior and manage assets.

Defense

Former top officials dissect homeland security since 9/11

Government has learned many lessons since terrorist attacks, but partisan politics and lack of information sharing across sectors still pose problems, panelists say.

Oversight

GOP lawmaker proposes overhaul of USPS

Rep. Darrell Issa’s legislation would cut delivery frequency and adjust workers’ pay and benefits.

Defense

Mullen initially wanted slower Afghan drawdown

Joint Chiefs chairman says he now supports the plan to pull 10,000 troops out of Afghanistan before the end of the year and bring home another 23,000 by next summer.

Oversight

Republicans pull out of debt talks

GOP negotiators say impasse over taxes must be resolved at a higher level.

News

The Week in Comments: Buyouts, job cuts and federal service

The best in reader reaction to recent articles.

Pay & Benefits

AFGE wins TSA union election

Union had competed with National Treasury Employees Union to represent security screeners.

Defense

President sides with Gates over Petraeus on Afghan plan

Defense secretary will retire from public service next week with another big bureaucratic win under his belt.

Defense

Americans least confident in Congress, most confident in military, survey finds

Military's 78 percent rating is 11 points higher than the institution’s historical average.

Pay & Benefits

Buyout Basics

Take our quiz to see if you’re ready to leave federal service.

News

A Whistleblowing Precedent

Oversight

From Nextgov: Panel unanimously endorses new government-spending oversight board

Oversight Committee's ranking member questions the new group's subpoena power and transparency advocates oppose a sunset provision.

Oversight

Acting ATF director dismisses speculation he’s quitting

Under fire in a House panel’s probe of mishandled gun trafficking operations at Mexico border, Kenneth Melson stays put as Senate considers successor’s nomination.

Pay & Benefits

Government job loss slows economic recovery, report finds

Cities where federal, state and local opportunities decreased typically had trouble bouncing back from the recession, according to think tank.

Defense

Obama announces 33,000-troop cut from Afghanistan

U.S. mission will change from combat to support as Afghan forces take the lead, president says in televised address.