Oversight

Report portrays SSA contract security guards as Keystone Kops

Inspector general auditors discovered guards on hourlong telephone calls, watching TV and absent from their posts.

Oversight

Lawmakers propose improvements to intern hiring process

Bill would require agencies to track quality of internship programs and share information about strong candidates.

Oversight

OPM clarifies leave policies for feds

Employees who wish to head home during an emergency before their designated early departure time can ask for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.

Oversight

Republicans reject White House offer on funding deal

GOP leaders are dismissing the Obama administration's proposed $6.5 billion in cuts as "status quo" and insufficient.

Oversight

Spending bills face new roadblocks in Senate

Republicans' letter announces intent to block legislation that adds new spending without offsets, program review.

Oversight

'Government activism' holding back recovery, Greenspan Says

The economic crisis may have “cast doubt” on competitive markets, but intervention tends to “hobble markets” rather than fix them, the former Fed chairman wrote in an article.

Defense

Lawmakers criticize military funeral protesters

Senators say the Westboro Baptist Church members are abusing free speech rights.

Pay & Benefits

For Richer, For Poorer

Sorting out spousal survivor annuity options.

News

From Nextgov.com: Army can't track mental health records of deployed soldiers

The service finds itself overwhelmed by paper records.

Defense

Court cases reaffirm law prohibiting discrimination against workers serving in the military

A federal employee and decorated war veteran could receive more than $500,000 in back pay and damages from the Postal Service.

Defense

Buying less with more at the Pentagon; a guide for newcomers

New essays edited by journalist Andrew Cockburn charge that surge in defense spending benefits contractors without enhancing security.

Oversight

Lawmakers agree on getting rid of overlapping programs

But committee members differ on exactly where to begin responding to detailed report from GAO.

Oversight

Fight over future of Saturday mail delivery continues

Resolution calls on USPS to preserve current schedule as agency faces growing financial crisis.

News

The Week in Comments: Climate change, waste and shutdown... averted

The best in reader reaction to recent articles.

Oversight

Battles over employee bargaining rights escalate

Wisconsin, it seems, is just the beginning.

News

Pentagon targets substandard for-profit schools

GAO report had revealed that Defense had monitored only a third of the schools being used by personnel.

News

Interior may appeal ruling on drilling permits

Last month, judge ruled that the department must make decisions on five permits.

Pay & Benefits

Domestic Dispute

The administration defends its decision not to extend health care benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.