Oversight

Report says size of FCC staff decreased steadily during past decade

GAO: Decline in agency staff is due to a lack of workforce planning and competitive pay.

Oversight

Vilsack: USDA programs boost economy

Ag chief says food stamps, investments in local processing and slaughter plants are among programs helping people.

Oversight

House chairman sees wholesale overhaul of GSEs

Financial Services chairman reiterates need to abolish public-private structure of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Defense

Obama to request $14.2 billion to train, equip Afghan forces

Figure is more than double the $6.6 billion already appropriated for fiscal 2010.

Defense

Watch lists don't necessarily bar entry, officials say

Intelligence officials disclose the United States allows some terrorism suspects into the country to track their activities.

Pay & Benefits

Deposit Dilemma

What happens if you opt not to pay a service credit deposit?

Defense

Former adviser gives Obama an 'A-' on defense policy

The president stuck to his word on the Iraq withdrawal, spending cuts and other campaign promises, Lawrence Korb says.

Pay & Benefits

Bill would boost oversight of FEHBP prescription drugs

Legislation aims to keep costs to federal employees in check.

Oversight

GOP senator seeks $120 billion in funding cuts

Proposed amendment to debt limit bill would rescind funding for duplicative programs and funding that hasn't been designated for a particular purpose fast enough.

Oversight

State of the Union, debt limit top agenda

President's address is expected to focus on jobs and fiscal responsibility.

News

From Nextgov.com: One year in, resistance to open government memo lingers

White House has accomplished unparalleled disclosure online despite implementation challenges , former and current feds say.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers include feds in excise tax relief

But fate of health care bill is still uncertain.

Defense

Grim trend in Army suicides continues

The service’s latest data shows an uptick in the number of soldiers taking their own lives.

Oversight

Obama sets new tone for regulatory process

Administration emphasizes social issues and opens rule-making to public comment, policy observer says.

Pay & Benefits

Pentagon taps career Navy executive to dissolve NSPS

John H. James will run office dismantling pay system and build new performance management system.

Defense

Report reveals trouble with new Army combat systems

All of the technologies struggled through a recent round of testing and will require significantly more work before the service can send them to a combat unit, study finds.

Defense

Lawmakers weigh security spending options

Additional funding could go toward new full-body scanning machines at U.S. airports and technology to sort and search clues of pending terrorist attacks.

Pay & Benefits

Tax Trap

Changes to the federal withholding formula could mean unpleasant surprises when it comes time to file income tax returns.