Defense
Legislators explore gray areas in security contractor oversight
Panel members question Blackwater executive's claim that companies already are covered under a variety of statutes.
Oversight
Watchdog criticizes State Department foreign aid staffing
Training is inconsistent, data to track aid workers is inadequate, and some employees are overstretched, GAO says.
Oversight
Labor-HHS spending bill might be next in clash with White House
Tactic assumes the bill is a political winner, even if Democrats lack the votes to override a veto.
Defense
Senate ends debate on authorization bill, but not on Iraq
Measure kept free of mandated timelines for troop withdrawals, but anti-war Democrats may try to attach those to the Defense spending bill.
News
Partisan dispute flares over Waxman's investigative tactics
The oversight committee chairman is publicizing allegations without vetting them fully, Republicans say.
Defense
Senate moves to restrict Defense personnel overhaul
Chamber votes to repeal the Pentagon’s authority to implement controversial labor relations reforms.
Oversight
Whining Won’t Help
Criticism that National Republican Congressional Committee leaders are too optimistic and not aggressive enough may be misplaced.
Defense
Survey finds gap between perceived and actual IT security
DHS cyber security "czar" says each person must take "reasonable precautions" to protect their corner of cyberspace.
Oversight
Union urges Congress to address staff shortages at prisons
Budget and staffing issues have put the security of federal correctional officers at risk, labor officials say.
Defense
Opening of DHS satellite office delayed amid criticism
Department official says operations will not begin until questions from a House lawmaker have been addressed.
Oversight
White House threatens to veto bill on IG independence
Measure contains language that would infringe on the president’s responsibility to supervise the executive branch officers, administration argues.
Oversight
Pending procurement reform provisions concern industry
Contractor representatives say certain legislative language could make doing business with government burdensome.
Defense
Panel criticizes State Department for failure to rein in Blackwater
House committee says Blackwater has reported more shooting incidents than two other protective services contractors combined.
Defense
ADVICE+DISSENT: Intelligence File Making a List
Deciding who might be a terrorist is more of an art than a science.
Features
Buried Treasure
Some of the nation’s most coveted energy deposits lie beneath some of its most cherished wilderness.
Management Matters - Advice And Dissent
A Change Agent Failure
What happens when a manager does it all his way.
Managing Technology