Defense

Panel urges delaying tougher rules for hemisphere travel

Spending bill language would postpone implementation of identification document requirement until June 2009.

Defense

Lawmakers criticize TSA screening systems as inefficient

TSA baggage handlers injured on the job more often than other federal workers, one House member notes.

Pay & Benefits

Mixing Civilian and Military Retirement

A guide to calculating the financial impact of combining civilian and military retirement benefits versus leaving them separate.

News

Rules for competition in IT consolidation called too restrictive

Contractors complain policies are stacked against them; unions argue the project is a way to privatize federal work.

Defense

Bid to keep FEMA within DHS gains momentum

White House has opposed the idea of FEMA’s removal from the department.

News

VA chief information security officer resigns

Pedro Cadenas had been involved with the forensic investigation of last month’s data breach involving the records of 26.5 million veterans.

Management

Panel finds performance-based contracts implemented poorly

Forty percent were wrongly counted toward OMB quota.

News

Senators push middle-ground personnel reforms

Akaka introduces bill requiring enhanced training for supervisors.

Management

Senate approves Wall Street executive as new Treasury chief

Henry Paulson has pledged to trim the budget deficit and push China to reform its currency policy.

Defense

Coast Guard authorization bill sails through House panel

Bill would allow service to be on a path to modernization in 15, rather than 25, years.

Defense

Commerce secretary attacks use of ‘amnesty’ in immigration debate

President Bush’s proposal would only allow illegal immigrants to become citizens after clearing hurdles, Gutierrez says.

Defense

Stolen equipment holding veterans’ records recovered

Preliminary investigation reveals that the data is intact and has not been accessed since early May theft.

Pay & Benefits

Reverse Pay Parity

Military advocates could find themselves in the unusual position of having to argue that soldiers deserve as high a raise as civilian federal employees.

Defense

Program to verify workers’ immigration status shows promise

Lawmaker concerned that the program could provide inaccurate results once it is expanded to more employers.

News

White House submits formal request for VA credit monitoring funds

The $160.5 million would be offset by cuts to a variety of programs, including one on the list the administration targeted for elimination this year.

Management

NTEU claims victory in large DHS union election

AFGE files a dispute claiming favoritism by management to skew the election.

Defense

Navy contractor arrested for alleged computer system sabotage

Contractor admits malicious program was motivated by anger at losing a bid.

Defense

DHS collective bargaining loss likely to affect Pentagon’s similar plan

Congressmen from both sides of the aisle ask DHS to return to the table with the unions.

Defense

Border intelligence plan still in 'early stages,' official says

Discussion about border intelligence should have started several years ago in the aftermath of Sept. 11, House Democrat says.

Tech

House member weighing legislation in response to VA data breach

Possibilities include changes to information security law and linking compliance with IT policies to performance reviews.