Defense
Senate OKs war supplemental bill with veterans' benefits
Package includes a provision that would essentially provide a four-year scholarship to any public university to veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001.
Defense
Panel praises Petraeus during nomination hearing
General said the number of violent incidents in Iraq last week was the lowest in four years.
Defense
Report: Defense Department cannot fully account for $7.8B spent in Iraq
Inspector general concludes funds were spent without appropriate documentation; office reconciling Iraqi payments has been moved from Kuwait to Rome, N.Y.
Oversight
Lawmakers push for more diversity at Homeland Security
Department has strong Hispanic representation, but racial clashes among workers continue.
Oversight
Senator accuses FBI of retaliation against whistleblowers
Iowa Republican cited two cases of veteran FBI agents who were transferred to lesser jobs and became targets of internal probes.
Oversight
GAO official says political influence not isolated at Interior
Investigator says four more department officials might have interfered in endangered species decisions for political reasons.
Pay & Benefits
Pay Day
Federal employees could see a bigger salary boost if Congress ensures pay parity between military service members and civilian employees during the next few years.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Committee pulls purse strings to nudge services toward unified command-and-control systems
House Armed Services report also targets Future Combat Systems delays and IT staff shortage.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Interior allowed to reconnect to Internet
Judge rules six-year disconnect order not valid, but still worries that the department’s computer security practices are inadequate.
Defense
GAO: Post-government employment of Defense contracting officials could pose conflict of interest
The Pentagon is not required to monitor former officials when they begin jobs with defense contractors.
News
Administration official calls House defense earmark provision 'veto bait'
The measure has riled anti-earmarks lawmakers, who view it as an end-run around efforts to increase transparency.
News
OMB director lambastes war spending bill
Former Rep. Jim Nussle says without funding by mid-June government will run out of money to pay troops.
Oversight
Access to contractor misconduct database restricted in Senate bill
Lacking support, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., agrees to make proposed database available only to government officials.
Defense
Advocates question ICE workplace raids' effect on kids
Immigration enforcement agency recently arrested hundreds of workers at an Iowa plant, 12 of whom were between the ages of 15 and 17.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies boost use of hiring flexibilities
OPM reports that use of alternative approaches has gone up by almost 50 percent since 2004.
Pay & Benefits
OPM calls for end to pension penalty for rehired retirees
Union and lawmakers express concerns that new hiring authorities could be subject to abuse.
Management