Oversight
OMB aims to further streamline security clearance process
President Bush slated to issue executive order June 30.
Oversight
Job competitions fall short of agency goals; OMB touts savings
Percentage of competitions won by federal employees drops from 87 percent to 73 percent.
Defense
Marines’ V-22 Osprey returns from first combat deployment
Tilt-rotor aircraft successfully used in more than 2,500 missions.
Oversight
House measure gives GAO powers, awards back wages
Bill also includes adjustments inserted by lawmakers unhappy with recent changes to the agency’s pay system.
Oversight
House Oversight Committee approves SES diversity bill
Watered-down bill requires creation of a Senior Executive Resource Office within the Office of Personnel Management to oversee the process of selecting executives.
Defense
Veterans Affairs passes bill updating benefits claims processing
Bill also calls for a study on readjusting the schedule used for rating disabilities and enhancement of information technology by the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Defense
Bush sends request for war supplemental to Congress
President asks for $70 billion to fund wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in fiscal 2009.
Oversight
GAO to launch employee diversity reforms in response to job performance report
Discrepancies in evaluations of African-American and Caucasian analysts persist and need to be addressed, independent research group concludes.
Pay & Benefits
TSP posts solid returns in April
Three riskier funds rise in past month, but post losses over previous year.
Oversight
GSA's Doan done in by battling White House
Fired administrator recently rejected suggested political appointees to fill senior-level vacancies at the agency.
Pay & Benefits
Subpanel votes to hike maximum dependent age for federal health benefits
Measure raises the maximum age of dependents eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan from 22 to 25.
Pay & Benefits
Social Issues
Answers to some common questions about how Social Security fits in to the federal retirement process.
News
Clinton introduces bill to post contractor violations on the Web
Searchable database would include self-reported criminal actions and government overpayments.
Defense
DHS official: Airlines best suited to run fingerprint program
Industry argues that taking fingerprints of foreigners is an inherently governmental function.
Oversight
FAA bill mired on reimbursements, nonaviation measures
GOP leaders and the White House are balking at reimbursements to the highway trust fund for money spent for emergencies since 1998.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies urged to pitch job flexibilities to attract applicants of all ages
Research shows government is ahead of the curve on alternative work schedules, but doesn't get the word out.
Pay & Benefits
Intelligence community launches executive performance system
Common criteria will focus on building collaborative networks across agency lines, leaders say.
Defense