Defense
Rail safety bill clears Senate transportation panel
Measure would require the Transportation Department to update railroad hours-of-service laws to give employees more rest time.
Defense
Former DHS official touts emergency-response network
The project aims to provide interactive maps and breaking news alerts on wireless text devices, as well as a national database of community stakeholders.
Oversight
Dems lay groundwork for challenging Bush over vetoes
Senate majority leader says he intends to send President Bush three spending bills in the coming weeks and “see what he does with them.”
News
Waxman cites threats in his probe of State Department IG
Senior staff in the IG office may have tried to sway employees against cooperating with the investigation, the California Democrat claims.
Defense
Security measures called threat to shipping business
Any maritime or homeland security strategy that puts a “chink in the supply chain” will do more harm than good, industry official argues.
Oversight
Blackwater executive to testify before House panel
Oversight hearing will focus on the role of private security contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defense
Critics not satisfied by naming of Pentagon management chief
Proponents of the position say it needs to be occupied by an official who can give it his or her full attention.
Defense
Steady funding, staffing urged for executive boards
Groups can play a key role in crisis, but support and expectations need to be clear, panelists say at hearing.
Defense
'Buy American' dispute stalls delivery of 1,000 military trucks
Champion of restrictions says the Army is not interpreting new limits on metals from foreign suppliers correctly, and could get a temporary waiver.
Pay & Benefits
Part B Or Not Part B?
That is the question when it comes to assessing how much Medicare coverage to carry into your federal retirement.
Defense
Lawmakers deplore 'frightening' state of Army readiness
Service officials urge lawmakers to ensure that continuing resolution has enough money to support the Army's current operations and procurement needs.
Defense
Lawmaker slams coordination at security 'fusion centers'
California Democrat stresses that the FBI and Homeland Security must partner with state intelligence officials and "not dictate who should be doing what."
Defense
Bill unveiled to address ‘nightmare’ of Iraqi refugees
Legislation would require the Homeland Security and State departments to expedite processing and streamline screening.
Oversight
Panelists say bias a barrier for minority-owned contractors
A lack of accountability, contract bundling and preferences for Alaska native firms are also cited as obstacles facing small companies seeking federal work.
Defense
Senators demand tighter security along northern border
Border Patrol official concedes that at any given time, only 250 officers are on duty along the northern border, which stretches about 4,000 miles.
Pay & Benefits
TSA to modify screener pay system
Agency takes employee comments into account in altering the number of rating levels and other aspects of its pay-for-performance system.
Defense
Survey: Feds less satisfied than private employees with moving services
Federal employees and military personnel may keep their belongings in storage longer, increasing the possibility of damage.
News
Cybersecurity chiefs keep a low profile
The guardians of computer systems are only likely to come into the spotlight when there’s been a breach.
Defense