Defense

Feds might pay National Guard homeland security costs

The fiscal 2005 defense authorization bill may include a provision that would allow governors to deploy the National Guard for state emergencies and bill the federal government.

Defense

Lawmakers question military, contractor training on war prisoners

House committee wants answers on involvement in Iraq inmate abuses.

Management

Budget negotiations remain gridlocked

Senate GOP moderates withhold support for the latest budget plan.

Defense

Homeland Security official details distribution of security funds

Protecting borders and transportation systems command much of the department's budget.

Management

Nuclear agency managers among diploma mill users

National Nuclear Security Administration officials said Tuesday that the bogus degrees would not affect the managers' job status.

Tech

Officials address business hurdles to security contracting

They include liability issues, intellectual property protection and the sharing of confidential company information with the government.

Oversight

Choosing the Right Partner

The only remaining major X-factor in the makeup of political battleground states is Kerry's choice for running mate.

Management

Senator challenges USDA mad cow testing plan

Sen. Tom Harkin, R-Iowa, says the Agriculture Department's plan to increase the number of animals tested is not statistically valid.

News

Senate budget chief lobbies hard for spending plan

Budget resolution remains mired in conference committee over the issue of whether tax cuts, spending increases must be offset.

Defense

Energy Department moves to boost security at nuclear labs

Plan includes the possibility of federalizing security forces and creating a specialized unit to guard facilities.

Management

Senate panel to give diploma mills the third degree

While investigating fake degree-granting institutions, GAO auditors obtained two diplomas under a Senate leader's name.

Tech

Database firm rejects TSA's pre-screening approach

ChoicePoint CEO Derek Smith says the airline passenger pre-screening system in development is too much like the controversial Terrorism Information Awareness data-mining project.

News

Veterans groups back health care system proposal

Veterans groups praise CARES plan, but local leaders express doubts. All sides want guarantee of uninterrupted health care.

Defense

DHS remains committed to contested passenger-screening program

Despite public outcry over recent data-sharing flaps, the government plans to issue a directive this summer requiring airlines to turn over passenger records.

News

Pork defenders praise earmarks

There's not as much pork-barrel spending as you'd think, they argue, and it serves an important function.

News

Hispanic employees not getting their due, says rights coalition

Advocacy groups on Monday called for stronger leadership to help federal agencies get up to speed on hiring and promoting Hispanics.

Tech

HHS chief unveils electronic medical records initiative

Federal officials challenged to move aggressively to help the health care system make the switch.

Defense

Senate Defense bill likely to follow Bush plan

The bottom line will be close to the $401.7 billion the Bush administration requested, senators say.

Defense

Air Force tanker controversy prompts changes, probes

Pentagon officials are mulling a decision about whether to proceed with the $23.5 billion plan to acquire 100 Boeing 767 refueling tankers.

Defense

Agencies set security plan for high-profile events

An interagency working group grapples with how to handle events ranging from the dedication of the World War II memorial to the national political conventions.