Management
Politics vs. Policy
To improve management at Homeland Security, Congress is urged to streamline oversight.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Navy installing satellite broadband on ships
Service means ships at sea can transmit larger files like video faster and access Defense classified Internet.
Oversight
NRC to examine radiation treatment program at Veterans Affairs
Discovery of multiple cases of radiation underdosing at VA Medical Center in Philadelphia triggers probe.
Oversight
Budget office projects record $438 billion deficit
Figure could end up rising if the operations of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are included.
Oversight
Senate panel to hear from auditors at troubled Defense agency
Session will focus on allegations that DCAA relies too heavily on arbitrary job performance metrics.
Pay & Benefits
House sends GAO pay bill to President Bush
Measure would reimburse more than 300 analysts who weren’t given raises for two years despite acceptable job performances.
Pay & Benefits
OPM issues guide to overhauling federal hiring process
Plan aims to streamline hiring and improve candidates' application experience.
Oversight
Lieberman shunned, oversight panel post in peril
Democrats say they were "disappointed" by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman's speech at the Republican convention.
Defense
Administration threatens veto of Senate defense measure
White House vows to scrap Defense authorization bill if it includes language prohibiting the use of private security contractors for any 'inherently governmental' security functions in combat zones.
Oversight
Plotting an Endgame
Parties race to find winning strategies in two-month dash to Election Day.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Army relies on ‘fully loaded’ SUV in hurricane response
During disasters, emergency response vehicle gives Army North access to Defense’s unclassified and classified networks.
Pay & Benefits
Capital-area feds got 2008 raises on par with private sector
Survey finds both sectors received a 4.5 percent pay boost between 2007 and 2008.
Oversight
Nuclear agency sets pace in hiring
Nuclear Regulatory Commission has become a model for agencies concerned about quickly replacing retiring workers.
Oversight
White House sidesteps question on veto of continuing resolution
Administration urges lawmakers to pass fiscal 2009 appropriations bills instead of relying on a stopgap measure.
Defense
House Democrats press FBI on 2001 anthrax attacks, security guidelines
Lawmakers also questioned whether the agency failed to help prevent the nation's mortgage crisis.
Oversight