Oversight
Senate bill aims to boost small business contracting
Measure attempts to break up large procurements into more manageable chunks and give small firms more chances at governmentwide acquisition contracts.
Oversight
Debt vote shows freshmen Dem concerns
Thursday's House vote to approve a $1.9 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling underscored the dilemmas facing Democrats during this election year.
News
High-priority performance goals don’t draw additional budget dollars
Agencies expected to ‘do more with less,’ OMB says.
Defense
Senator puts blanket hold on presidential nominees
According to Democratic aides, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is stalling more than 70 nominees in an effort to win concessions for his home state.
News
House sends debt limit increase, pay/go to White House
Four policy items will be exempt from requirement that new increases in mandatory spending and tax cuts be offset.
Defense
House panel: Defense review lacks priorities
Strategy document makes it hard to determine the best way to use limited resources, Armed Services Committee leaders say.
Defense
DHS comes under fire for failure to track conference and travel costs
Department’s IG office urges better oversight to avoid wasteful spending.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Government takes layered approach to aviation security
House members say Homeland Security should make a greater effort to gauge the public’s response to potential passenger screening technologies.
Oversight
Senate confirms Johnson as GSA administrator
Nearly a year after she was nominated, Martha Johnson is the agency’s first permanent administrator since 2008.
Defense
Energy secretary gets heat on Yucca funding
Chu says the administration has years to decide on a permanent storage site.
Oversight
Debt limit increase nears final House vote
Republicans accuse Democrats of playing "deceitful procedural games" to advance the measure.
Oversight
Winter storm in Washington highlights telework
White House efforts to increase telework among federal employees could get a boost from Mother Nature.
Oversight
Budget chief catches flak on deficit commission
OMB director says plan is the way to prevent fiscal disaster.
Pay & Benefits