Oversight
Democrat proposes raising net worth cap for minority small business program
Bill would increase the ceiling for participation in the 8(a) program from $750,000 to $978,722.
Defense
GAO upholds protests of Army truck pact
Watchdog says the service should re-evaluate three proposals for the five-year deal, whose price tag could reach $3 billion.
Defense
Aides: Short PATRIOT extension likely
Expectation is that expiring provisions will be reauthorized for three months, giving lawmakers time to work out their differences.
Oversight
Senate sends omnibus spending measure to Obama's desk
Package contains six appropriations bills that Congress ran out of time to pass individually.
Defense
Appropriators give lifeline to helicopter program
Additional funding could keep the VH-71 alive and its workforce largely intact as the Pentagon reviews plans for fielding a new presidential helicopter.
Pay & Benefits
Bill with 2 percent pay raise awaits Obama’s signature
For the first time in recent years, civilian federal employees are headed for a lower increase than members of the military.
Pay & Benefits
Obama gives feds half day off on Christmas Eve
A little extra time when Christmas falls on a Friday is a presidential holiday tradition.
Pay & Benefits
As Open Season ends, feds’ full attention turns to health care reform
Bills contain caps on flexible spending accounts and possible changes to federal employees’ health insurance costs.
News
From Nextgov.com: Open government could present a challenge to intelligence agencies
Transparency advocates say recently released directive changes the circumstances driving the decisions to keep some information from being posted online.
Oversight
House passes massive financial regulatory overhaul
The legislation creates a new consumer protection agency to guard against abusive and unfair home mortgages, credit cards and auto loans.
Oversight
House leaders insist on statutory pay/go
Dems want to add to the fiscal 2010 spending package legislation that requires offsets for any tax and mandatory spending bills that increase the deficit.
News
Veterans Affairs employee wins cost-cutting contest
Nancy Fichtner will meet with President Obama to present her idea of letting veterans take home unused medications when they leave the hospital.
Oversight
Veterans to receive priority in VA contract awards
Final rule creates set-aside program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Oversight
Fund proposed for female farmers in USDA bias cases
Bill creating a $4.6 billion compensation fund may mark beginning of multibillion-dollar congressional effort to settle discrimination suits.
Oversight
Senate leader files cloture on spending bill with 2 percent pay raise
Vote on the nearly $450 billion fiscal 2010 spending omnibus package is scheduled for Sunday.
Pay & Benefits