Oversight

Missing Pieces

John McCain's campaign seems little more than a candidate, an airplane and a small staff.

News

John McCain Discovers the Internet

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News

Senate panel to vote on three spending bills this week

The full committee so far has approved six of the 12 appropriations bills.

Oversight

New HUD secretary rallies employees

Steve Preston is boosting spirits through gestures such as eating lunch in the cafeteria with employees.

Oversight

Navy to reserve work for firms in 8(a) program

More than 240 small disadvantaged businesses will compete for multiple award contracts.

Defense

ACLU urges action to 'fix' growing terrorist watch list

Group charges that list now has over 1 million names, including members of Congress.

Pay & Benefits

Federal employee groups step up political efforts as fall elections approach

Organizations contribute most money to House Democrats.

Defense

McCain, Obama share some views on security

Both want more troops on the ground and both reject many of President Bush's policies; differences emerge on nuclear weapons, defense spending and the priority placed on the war in Afghanistan.

Defense

Forward Observer: Invisible Wounds

Mississippi Democrat wants to do a better job of protecting troops from long-lasting brain trauma inflicted by bombs.

Oversight

Billing problems to third-party insurers plague VA

Systems' failure to track payments brings into question $1.7 billion in unbilled services, GAO says.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DISA to offer on-demand computing environment in 2009

IT developers will be able to pay monthly for computing resources to test new software applications.

Oversight

Deputy to embattled Special Counsel leaves for Lockheed

Employees say Jim Byrne was critical of the Special Counsel's management style, but did not resign in protest.

Defense

Shoddy standards blamed for electrocutions in Iraq

The Pentagon has acknowledged that 11 soldiers and two contractors have died in Iraq as a result of faulty wiring systems.

Oversight

Republican lawmaker gets riled over idling government cars

In a letter to President Bush, Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa decries the Washington practice of leaving federal vehicles running while waiting for prominent passengers.

News

Senate panel supports moratorium on competitive sourcing

Measure would effectively punt the controversial initiative to the next administration by placing a one-year hold on new competitions.

Defense

Grand jury probe of Iraq inspector general ends without indictment

Federal prosecutors had been investigating allegations by former office employees that Stuart Bowen and his deputy signed off on improper monitoring of employee e-mails.

Oversight

Senator holds out hope for finishing spending bills

Appropriations chairman encourages Senate leaders to finish work on the bills, despite a growing consensus that a stopgap measure will be necessary.

Defense

Defense official says tanker deal may fall behind schedule

The goal is still to make an award by the end of the year, but protests or proposals to use a different aircraft could cause delays.