News And Analysis

Hard Bargain

News

House budget leader criticizes Senate plan

Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, R-Iowa, said he was not confident the two chambers could resolve their differences in conference.

Defense

Lawmakers cite concerns about gaps in border security

Hearing of Senate Judiciary subcommittees focuses on challenges, vulnerabilities of enforcing border and immigration laws.

Management

Legal battle over FAA outsourcing decision begins

Protest by losing employee team could delay plans to transfer flight service work to contractor.

Pay & Benefits

Congress, employees still await details of Defense personnel system

Defense officials tell Senators that more information will emerge during upcoming "meet and confer" period.

News

Report urges GSA to step up auditing of contracts

GAO says agency lacks documentation to show whether it has negotiated fair prices.

Management

Anthrax alarm closes three mail facilities

An initial test on material from a Pentagon mail center turned up positive for anthrax.

Defense

Senators to propose changes to intelligence overhaul law

Proposal would give the national intelligence director one point of contact with the eight defense intelligence agencies the director will oversee.

Defense

Republicans take issue with Bush Homeland Security proposals

GOPers back plan to merge agencies, but oppose effort to increase passenger ticket fees to pay for security costs at the nation's airports.

News

Senator urges budget panel to keep postal overhaul in mind

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, expected to release legislation calling for "meaningful postal reform" on Thursday.

Oversight

An Uphill Battle

Putting a congressional district on a wish list doesn't automatically create a turnover.

News

No Agenda Here.

None

Defense

Homeland Security bureau goes after gangs

Immingration and Customs Enforcement sets new initiative targeting the nation's most violent gangs.

Defense

Forward Observer: Penetrating Debate

Debate is about to heat up on President Bush's request for money to study building a nuclear weapon that could penetrate the earth to kill enemy commanders in their bunkers deep underground.

Defense

Senator to question Army's acquisition of tech network

Commercial designation of program source of concern for Sen. John McCain.

Management

Smooth confirmation process seen for NASA nominee

Johns Hopkins University physicist Michael D. Griffin would succeed Sean O'Keefe, who resigned in December.