Defense
Bush taps former NSA chief as intelligence director
Nominee pledges further information sharing among agencies; Bush urges swift confirmation.
Defense
Panel leaders sign pact to share oversight of FEMA, Coast Guard
Chairmen of the House Transportation and Homeland Security committees in the last session of Congress disagreed on FEMA overhaul.
Defense
Bill would target wartime contracting fraud
Current law makes it hard to build criminal cases against firms abusing taxpayers’ money on projects in Iraq, measure’s sponsor says.
Defense
House Dems unveil sweeping post-9/11 security measure
Bill would increase risk-based grant allocations and step up cargo screening; would not reform congressional oversight of DHS.
Management
New appropriations leaders aim to finish fiscal 2008 bills on time
Panel chairs agree on a lineup of 12 subcommittees that matches up cleanly in both chambers.
Management
Social Security employees face $3.8 million in work-related fines
Union officials call allegations against four employees “absurd,” arguing they were acting in the line of duty.
Defense
Union blasts final TSA rule on port ID cards
Workers may be required to purchase cards before equipment is ready to read them.
Defense
Military seeks extra funding to cover shortages for base closures
Absent additions to spending measure, services could face a $4 billion shortfall for base closures and realignments approved in 2005.
Tech
OPM clarifies policies affecting teleworkers’ pay
Requirement that employees report to their official work site at least once a week has caused frustration.
Management
Bush wants earmarks cut in half for fiscal 2008
The use of earmarks has grown significantly during the past decade.
Defense
Defense IG finds major flaws in contracts issued via Treasury
Lack of competition, market research among gaps found in task orders issued using Treasury’s FedSource program.
Defense
Iraq contractors face increased scrutiny in new Congress
Some would welcome a chance to tell lawmakers about circumstances that make their jobs more difficult, including a worsening security situation.
Management
House appropriators to gain two subcommittees
Treasury Department, Postal Service, GSA, OPM and other general government agencies will move under new Financial Services subpanel.
Management
Help Wanted: Boring Jobs
Human resources offices need to spice up their vacancy postings.
Management
Federal employee trial periods at risk, MSPB warns
Two court cases have complicated the definition of which workers qualify for probationary terms, report says.
Management
House Dem: Defense obligations will impede balanced budget
One priority is reinstating "pay/go" rules of the 1990s, which require offsets for new tax cuts or entitlement programs, budget leader says.
Management
Defense employees reluctant to report ‘revolving door’ abuses
Survey finds hesitance stems partly from lack of clarity on post-employment rules.
Tech
IG: Immigration agency IT modernization needs stronger focus
Duplicative plans have hampered rollout, recent audit report states.
Defense
DHS urged to step up oversight of cash advances on grants
Proper monitoring would help ensure that appropriate interest is paid, GAO says.
Defense