Defense
House Lawmakers Close Pentagon Budget Hearing to the Public
Mattis and Dunford have open hearings at the Armed Services Committees, but will talk over their $686.1 billion request with House appropriators in private.
Defense
Senate Panel Narrowly Approves Pompeo for Secretary of State
After a last-minute flip by Senator Rand Paul, President Trump’s pick for secretary of state wins approval from the Foreign Relations Committee despite opposition from Democrats.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Emmanuel Macron is in Town and Donald Trump is Excited
The American president loves his French counterpart.
Nextgov
Lawsuit Over Government’s Kaspersky Ban Hits A Turning Point
The judge in the cases must now either rule on motions in the cases or order oral arguments.
Nextgov
This FTC Group Wants To Keep You Safe from Blockchain Scams
But keeping up with criminals' tech innovation can be challenging.
Management
Patent Office Director: No 'Significant' Reorganization Planned
The agency tasked with adjudicating intellectual property claims will continue to staff up in the coming years to tackle the patent application backlog.
Management
The Foreign Leaders Trump Favors
This week’s state visit cements Emmanuel Macron’s reputation as one of the president’s closest friends. But he’s not the only one.
Nextgov
State Reauthorization Elevates Cyber Office Tillerson Once Shuttered
The House bill closely tracks a standalone bill to restore and elevate the cyber coordinator’s office.
Oversight
Second Senator Blocks Intelligence Nominee Over Firing of Whistleblower Ombudsman
Wyden and Grassley await documents on Dan Meyer’s centralized program for Intel Community.
Management
Trump Officials Defend VA Pick as He Gears Up for Contentious Confirmation
VA secretaries typically sail through confirmation, but Ronny Jackson’s lack of experience has the White House on the defensive.
Oversight
Trump Readies a Vaguely Nixon-Like Package of Spending Clawbacks
Warned by senators against violating budget deal, White House presses ahead with rescissions.
Nextgov
Defense Electronic Health Records Program Seeks Help Organizing Influx of Data
The Defense Health Agency wants to know if a vendor can help match all the new data it’s collecting with the old.
Route Fifty
Cage-Free-Egg Laws Spur Cage Match Between States
When California and Massachusetts enacted laws requiring that eggs produced and sold there be raised cage-free, 13 states including some of the nation’s largest egg producers sued.
Tech
U.S. Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites
The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.
Management
Management Chief: Trump Administration Will Renew Push for Performance Pay Fund
In an interview with NextGov, OMB Deputy Director for Management Margaret Weichert said the Trump administration would push for civil service reform legislation.
Defense
What Trump Has Already Given Up to North Korea
Pyongyang has long sought a legitimacy-conferring summit with a sitting U.S. president, and it looks highly unlikely to give up the "treasured sword" of its existing nukes.
Management
Is the Senate Bill to Protect Mueller Constitutional?
Legal scholars say the bipartisan legislation could run into trouble at the Supreme Court.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Ryan Zinke's Not a Geologist
The Interior chief is many things, but he has not held the job of geologist professionally.
Route Fifty
Rural Areas to Get Federal Funding Boost in New Transportation Grant Program
The new BUILD program will replace Obama-era TIGER grants.
Nextgov