Defense
GOP report says private airport screeners can do more for less
Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., urges TSA to ‘get out of the personnel business’ and focus on setting security standards.
Defense
GAO: Reservists need better information about health care benefits
Defense should improve efforts to educate eligible reservists about the TRICARE program, report says.
Oversight
Republicans challenge Obama guidance on labor agreements in contracts
House lawmakers push `neutral contracting’ bill as administration defends agency option to favor unionized bidders.
News
From Nextgov: Airport body scans to get less personal by early 2012
TSA plans to modify half its machines to show more generic pictures by year-end.
Defense
House panel cuts more than $1 billion from nuclear agency budget
Subcommittee agrees to $1.1 billion less than Obama's initial request for U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration.
Oversight
Analysis: How to cut costs and improve performance
Recently, the focus has been on the choice between draconian spending cuts and tax increases. But there’s a better way.
Oversight
Americans disagree on government role in wealth distribution
About 70 percent of Democrats support higher taxes on the rich to spread out wealth; about the same percentage of Republicans oppose that policy.
Oversight
Moody's threatens U.S. debt downgrade
Rating agency's call for "substantial deficit reduction” fuels arguments that budget cuts should be added to debt ceiling vote.
Pay & Benefits
Best Dates to Retire, Revisited
Answers to reader questions about optimal retirement dates next year.
News
From Nextgov: Former federal contractor gets jail time for falsifying immigration records
Fraud allowed illegal immigrants to get passports; case represents larger insider threat problem.
Oversight
Departing Commerce secretary laments government's 'aversion to failure'
Gary Locke calls for quantitative measures of program success.
Oversight
Mullen: Clock ticking for decision on Afghanistan troop withdrawal numbers
President Obama has committed to start removing U.S. forces from Afghanistan in July.
Oversight
USDA scraps food pyramid for a plate
New nutrition icon is easier for busy families to digest, first lady and Agriculture chief say.
News