Defense
Lawmakers urge Pentagon to weigh alternatives to furloughs
Military budgeting options could delay the need for layoffs until at least late March, a new report states.
Oversight
Panel OKs pay hike for federal judges
Bill will now move to the full House for consideration.
Oversight
Dems reach tentative deal on overall funds
Budget number is limited to Bush's $932.8 billion request and $3.7 billion for the Veterans Affairs Department.
Defense
Wrangling over intelligence bills delays floor action
Senate leaders are struggling to devise a strategy for moving legislation that would overhaul FISA.
Pay & Benefits
Performance Pay at VHA
The Veterans Health Administration is in the midst of a long-running effort to link employee pay raises to job performance.
Oversight
White House open to emergency spending, omnibus bill
Earmarks will remain, despite lawmaker's earlier pledge, although at significantly reduced levels.
Defense
Committee Dems favor permanent chemical security rules
DHS regulations designed to identify high risk sites containing dangerous chemicals expire in October 2009.
Tech
Fewer connections could limit cyber attacks, agency official says
Justice Department chief information technology security specialist touts strategy of reducing its number of Internet connections to 50.
Oversight
Workforce bills slow to move through Congress
Legislation on a range of federal employee issues awaiting action by committees.
Defense
Chertoff seeks unified DHS, sets 2008 priorities
Homeland Security secretary says agency is suffering from congressional "oversight run amok."
Tech
GAO: Delays in systems testing put 2010 census at risk
Census Bureau director blames delays on Congress’ inability to pass fiscal 2008 funding.
Oversight
Justice commends Interior auditor for recouping unpaid energy royalties
He and his team recovered $105 million from company that underpaid for natural gas production on federal and tribal lands.
Defense
Hill probes into destruction of CIA tapes expand and multiply
Senate Intelligence Committee chair plans to call agency's inspector general and top lawyer to testify next week.
Oversight
In switch, Senate to move first on omnibus spending bill
Measure would fund 15 Cabinet agencies and provide interim financing for the Pentagon and other emergency needs.
Management
After Blackwater
There are few options if the besieged security contractor is phased out of Iraq.
Defense
Conferees slash $1.4 billion from Army tactical radio funding
Members of Congress express concern that continuing to buy radios under existing program will undermine commitment to next-generation system.
Tech
Lawmakers told federal Web efforts hinder accessibility
Google executive says configuration of many sites prevents them from being crawled by search engines.
Defense