News

Homeland security efforts help drug war, but hurt other missions

Heightened security at the nation’s borders following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is helping federal law enforcement agencies crack down on drug trafficking, but is also taking resources away from their core missions, witnesses at a House hearing said Wednesday.

Defense

Pentagon pushed to purchase unmanned planes

Pay & Benefits

Court rejects TSP board’s $350 million lawsuit

The board that runs the federal Thrift Savings Plan cannot sue a contractor over a failed computer system modernization, a federal judge has ruled. The board is appealing the ruling.

Pay & Benefits

Bill would halt supervisor cuts at FAA

Tech

OMB orders agencies to boost spending on computer security

The Office of Management and Budget will require federal agencies to submit budget plans that include funds for boosting computer security, a key administration official said Tuesday.

Management

Effort to adjust federal staffing overseas stalled

The government has little to show for a two-year effort aimed at “rightsizing” the federal workforce serving overseas, the General Accounting Office has found. But the Bush administration may force a reshuffling of civil servants abroad in coming years.

Pay & Benefits

Bill pushes loans, tuition reimbursement for national security needs

Just as heavy federal investment in science and math education helped win the Cold War, some lawmakers want a similar education investment to help America win the war against terrorism.