News
Panel grills head of food safety agency on bonuses
Lawmakers ask why the agency was able to give senior executives bonuses last year despite running short of money and cutting some activities.
Defense
Study says Pentagon could make Iraq funds last until July
Bush and Republicans have argued the military needs the funding as early as mid-April.
Defense
DHS preparedness chief resigns amid reorganization
FEMA is taking over grant programs, disaster assistance and operations, and other activities in the soon-to-be-gone preparedness directorate.
Tech
New NASA tech contracts are a boon for small firms
Awards went to 23 small companies, almost a quarter of which are owned by service disabled veterans.
Pay & Benefits
Senator reintroduces pay for performance measure
Bill would deny annual raises to employees with low performance ratings.
Management
Audit finds few problems with IRS outsourcing program
Lawmakers push to cancel program; updated program revenues might not be available before more contracts are signed.
Management
Experts divided on GSA chief’s potential Hatch Act violations
Determination could hinge on details of what was said at a Jan. 26 meeting and the intent of the meeting.
Pay & Benefits
Back to Work, Again
A look at reader reaction to last week’s column on re-employed annuitants, with details on how the rules differ at the Defense Department.
Defense
Senate panel moves bill creating reconstruction reserve corps
Corps would be made up of 250 active-duty personnel and 2,000 standby personnel, with most employees coming from the State Department and USAID.
Management
Divided House approves $2.9 trillion spending blueprint
Members reject GOP alternative calling for $279 billion in spending cuts over five years and a freeze in nondefense discretionary spending.
Defense
Senate passes wartime spending package with two GOP votes
President Bush vows again to veto the bill because of the billions in extra nonmilitary spending and the Iraq withdrawal timeline.
Management
Interior seeks to settle Indian trust fund disputes for $7 billion
Litigants say proposal is unacceptable, object to the bundling of a class action suit with tribal cases.
Management
Dems expand probe of political presentations at agencies
House oversight committee chairman wants details on White House policies, list of briefings.
Defense
Panel may hold hearings on emergency wireless project
Agencies are reconsidering the viability of program to provide a communications network for first responders.
News