Pay & Benefits
Postal Service starts discussions on early retirement offers
The agency is required to consult with unions before it can finalize the details of the offers, which it expects to extend to at least 20,000 employees.
Pay & Benefits
Senate appropriators pass 3.9 percent civilian pay hike
Figure is more generous than the raise proposed by Bush, but matches that approved by the House Appropriations Committee.
Oversight
Investigators find Interior contract coding problems
IG uncovers Fortune 500 companies improperly listed as small businesses.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Agencies make dent in external IT network connections
Slow transition to Networx telecom contract could affect progress .
Oversight
Panel moves toward finding Rove in contempt
Lawyer argues that executive privilege gives the former presidential adviser immunity from testifying.
Defense
House panel basses bill aiding severely disabled veterans
Plan would prohibit the collection of co-payments from catastrophically disabled veterans.
News
Senate leader predicts continuing resolution heading into 2009
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., also said he does not expect Congress to come back for a lame-duck session after the November election.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers question Thrift Savings Plan investment strategy
Some call for active rather than passive fund management.
Oversight
House spending bill markups at a standstill
Fight started before the July 4 recess, when Republicans attempted to attach the Interior appropriations bill to the Labor-HHS one.
Defense
Lawmaker assails Pentagon for inaction on contractors
Former Defense official says he personally saw one contractor submit $1 billion in overcharges to the Army.
Pay & Benefits
Playing Catch Up
The federal government would do well to follow the private sector’s lead on benefits for same-sex partners.
Oversight
Taxpayer advocate’s concerns over private debt collection mount
New report to Congress says contractors are getting credit for recovering money that was gathered using IRS tools.
Defense
Senate passes FISA bill after yearlong dispute
Legislation gives the administration long-sought spying powers and legal protections for telecom companies that have helped conduct electronic surveillance on U.S. residents without warrants.
Defense