News
House panel criticizes FDA for slow approval of generic drugs
Agency should have requested a higher budget and devoted more employees to the approval program, member of appropriations subcommittee says.
Defense
Rumsfeld defends budget decisions on weapons systems
Defense secretary also stands by his decision to stop production of C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes in 2008.
Defense
Overhaul of emergency management system urged
Democrats call for removal of FEMA from Homeland Security, but DHS secretary resists calls for restructuring.
News
GSA eliminates no firms in first round of telecom contract bidding
All four major companies bidding on Networx Universal make it through.
Pay & Benefits
FAA controllers gain support for bill on labor contract disputes
Bipartisan bill would require binding arbitration in case of impasse.
News
Dispute over low-income energy assistance delays flood insurance bill
Without a hike in the federal insurance program’s borrowing limit, FEMA may be unable disburse checks to hurricane victims.
Defense
McCain to probe Air Force contracting for cargo planes
Officials say Air Force will enter a more transparent agreement with aircraft maker Lockheed Martin by the end of the year.
Tech
Panel: Financial accountability critical for interagency service agreements
Rules are needed for “when things go wrong” in agency-to-agency agreements, GSA official says.
Pay & Benefits
Cost-of-Labor Pains
Federal pay raises are determined by the cost of labor, which often has increased more than the cost of living.
News
Data shows drop in agency conference spending last year
Figures indicate that conference spending fell $19.7 million between fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2005, slowing an upward trend.
News
Congress awaits Thursday delivery of two supplemental funding requests
Requests for military operations, foreign assistance and Gulf Coast reconstruction could be slightly more than White House said last week.
Defense
Committee grills Army leaders on cuts
Plan to cut number of planned combat brigades by nearly 10 percent while continuing heavy deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan met with skepticism came from both sides of the aisle.
News
Compromise eyed on bill to create Katrina recovery organization
White House says it has already contributed a significant sum to rebuilding Louisiana.
Defense
First responders detail emergency communications problems
Key issues include lack of equipment standards, inadequate funding and turf wars among federal, state and local officials.
Defense
Senators grill Homeland Security chief over Katrina response
Chertoff admits preparations before the storm were inadequate and says he got conflicting information about damage from the hurricane.
Management
OPM employees defeat contractors in latest job competition
Employee proposal would save $700,000 over current operations.
Defense
Report: DHS slow to enact border security recommendations
Implementation of security plans and privacy impact assessments are among neglected suggestions, GAO says.
News
White House veto threat looms over postal bill negotiations
Administration opposes language giving the Postal Service access to escrow account funds and transferring its military pensions obligation.
News