Defense
Defense bill breathes new life into canceled programs
Legislation includes $130 million for the troubled VH-71 presidential helicopter program despite White House opposition.
Oversight
Real Slippage
The president’s approval ratings have moved down a notch or two in recent weeks.
Oversight
Groups claim data on federal employees’ salaries is misleading
News analysis indicates that the number of government workers earning more than six figures has spiked during the last two years.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Obama administration proposes metrics for testing FISMA performance
Recommended measures “encourage agencies to take concrete steps to improve their security,” announcement states.
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