Oversight
From Nextgov.com: FDA asks for $65 million to better track food contamination
Increase in fiscal 2009 IT budget also would help trace adverse effects from medical devices.
Oversight
Census getting back on course, lawmakers told
Observers say cost still uncertain, but agency is making headway on program and contract management.
Defense
Appropriators add $2.3 billion to to DHS spending bill
Plan includes a boost in funding for grant programs and efforts to find and deport criminal illegal immigrants inside the United States.
Oversight
Cooperative purchasing bill close to becoming law
Senate approves measure to open GSA’s law enforcement and security-based Schedule 84 to state and local governments.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies urged to hire ex-offenders
People with criminal records could help fill future staff shortages, House panel says.
News
Senate panel OKs only part of Pentagon's funds transfer request
Transfer would pay for civilian salaries, among other things, only in the event a supplemental funding bill is not approved by July 5.
Oversight
Obama, McCain urged to find common ground on management agenda
Here’s your opportunity to suggest measures the two senators could support on a bipartisan basis.
Defense
Republican lawmakers press DHS on border fence
House members seek 700 miles of double-layered fencing along the border with Mexico.
Defense
Broken machines, delays plague secure ID card program
Problems include a dispute between DHS and the program's prime contractor over additional funding to resolve technical errors.
Management
Great Expectations
Plan now for the presidential transition to guard against false starts in the new term.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: GSA official urges passage of cooperative purchasing bill for security
Opening federal security contracts to state and local governments would save money and provide faster services.
Oversight
GSA proposes mentor-protégé program
Initiative encourages agency prime contractors to assist small businesses.
News
Appropriator lists grants, cybersecurity among priorities
The Bush administration has requested $38 billion in discretionary spending for Homeland Security.
Oversight
House passes GAO pay bill, minus investigative provisions
Measure would restore pay increases to hundreds of agency employees who have said they were wrongly denied raises in 2006 and 2007.
Defense
Hill panels split over amount Defense can transfer to Army
House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee has agreed to allow the shift of only $7.3 billion of $9.7 billion requested.
Defense
Bush orders contractors to check employees' legal status
Associations representing federal contractors fear E-Verify system is so faulty it will misidentify legal workers.
Oversight