Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Transportation tackles distracted-driving problem using videos

Agency unveils two new messages on its ‘rampage’ to end deadly practice that has been rising in age of mobile technology.

Pay & Benefits

USDA confronts challenge of youth recruitment

Secretary Tom Vilsack highlights steps Agriculture is taking to attract and cultivate a new generation of employees.

Oversight

Amtrak e-mail misuse alleged in IG scandal

Amtrak’s independent investigative officer is asking the Postal Service to look into the matter.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers propose five-year pay freeze, federal job cuts

Bill would keep spending at 2006 levels for a decade and reduce funding for civilian employees.

Oversight

Union representatives seek more input in workplace issues

Federal managers must step up pre-decisional involvement processes, administration officials say.

Oversight

Supreme Court approves background checks for contractors

NASA has the right to ask scientists questions about past drug use and emotional stability, justices rule.

News

The Week in Comments: Contract costs, USPS staff cuts and employee attrition

The best in reader reaction to recent articles.

Oversight

GOP looks to send Obama a message on spending

House Republicans are planning a vote the day of the State of the Union address on a resolution to cut non-security discretionary spending.

Pay & Benefits

The Real Gap

Independent research tells a different story about federal pay.

News

Losing the Best and Brightest

News

From Nextgov.com: FEMA chief taps social media's potential for aiding disaster response

‘Two-way conversation’ with the public pursued through designing communication systems for easy access by online masses.

Oversight

Interior announces new structure for regulating deepwater drilling

Third reorganization in response to BP oil spill aimed at fixing a bureau long torn by resource development, environmental safety and revenue collecting.

Defense

Army Reserve and Guard suicide rates more than doubled last year

Active-duty suicides declined slightly from 2009 to 2010.

Oversight

GAO: Army contractors performing inherently governmental functions

Review shows private workers in thousands of jobs designated for federal employees.

Defense

House Democrats want panel overseeing intelligence spending reinstated

Democrats argue it would help ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, while Republicans counter that it would be redundant.

Defense

With Hu Jintao's arrival, an extra burden for the Secret Service

China's president gets special security measures for D.C. visit.

Defense

Report: FBI spy powers too broad

Law center calls for better oversight to avoid abuses of guidelines that allow agents to initiate surveillance without a manager’s approval and without probable cause.