News

Bush says 'leadership' is needed to pass immigration bill

President calls criticism that the measure amounts to amnesty “empty political rhetoric.”

News

Senate panel agrees to disclose earmarks in Defense bill

Committee and conference reports on the measure must list the name of the sponsor and the intended location of the pet projects.

Defense

GAO: Navy needs more contracting discipline

Bad procurement decisions hurt development of new Navy SEAL vessel, reviewers say.

Oversight

Governmentwide Hatch Act probe remains in early stages

Task force created to investigate potential abuses of the law at multiple agencies has yet to interview any subjects.

Defense

Panel backs whistleblower rights for Defense contractors

An amendment to the 2008 Defense authorization bill seeks to give contract workers the same protections as federal employees.

Oversight

Financial Checkup

Second-quarter fundraising reports will show which of the presidential contenders have been able to expand their contributions base.

News

Three Houses, Ocean View

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News

Civil Service Scammers

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News

TSP: Cream of the Crop

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News

Taking Back Memorial Day

Defense

Investigative panel targeting pollution at military bases

Probe will focus on Camp Lejeune, but could extend to other military-controlled hazardous waste sites.

Defense

Senate panel moves to scale back Pentagon personnel system

Armed Services Committee votes to repeal portions of the Pentagon's personnel system, amid rigorous lobbying from federal labor unions.

Defense

OPM pushes Homeland Security to move on pay for performance

Department has made progress on personnel reforms, but should begin basing pay on quality of work, report says.

Oversight

Lawyer for GSA chief argues investigative agency is biased

Agency should “disapprove” draft report concluding Lurita Doan violated the Hatch Act, attorney says.

Defense

Defense purchases of services rise sharply

GAO auditors say competition and contract oversight are important to secure best deals for the Pentagon.

Defense

Congress sends wartime funding bill to Bush

Measure drops timelines for withdrawing troops from combat zones, replacing them with 18 benchmarks for the Iraqi government to demonstrate progress.

Oversight

Agencies urge legislation to ease disposal of excess property

Witnesses agree uniform incentives and tools are needed; one proposal would allow agencies to keep a portion of the proceeds from sales.

Oversight

FEMA gives lawmakers list of nearly 4,000 sole-source contracts

Time period covered and value of the work unclear; House appropriators have written legislation prompting more competition.

Pay & Benefits

Crediting Volunteer Service

How service in prominent federal volunteer programs is treated in retirement computations.