Defense

Coast Guard chief stresses importance of focusing on employees

Thad Allen cites plans for possible joint-duty requirements across Homeland Security agencies.

Management

Key senator urges Bush to use his sway on fiscal issues

A first step will be to institute "pay/go" requirements that new entitlement programs or tax cuts be offset, incoming budget panel leader says.

Defense

Bill creating HHS bioterror research agency on Bush’s desk

Measure would reduce the Homeland Security Department’s role in the event of a bioterror attack.

Tech

Proponent of IT centralization declares victory at the VA

Employees involved in application development will be sent to work under the CIO Monday, and permanently placed there in April.

Management

Speeding Up Acquisition Reform

Wartime urgency pulls back the red tape on accelerated projects.

Management

New House panel will oversee information policy

Watchdogs predict changes will place a higher priority on questions of access, classification and freedom of information.

Management

EPA officials defend library closures, tout benefits of digitization

Internal documents urge officials to move slowly in disposal of library materials; furniture sale in Chicago netted just $350.

Defense

IG urges Customs officials to better use intelligence

Procedures for dealing with high-risk cargo shipments need tweaking, investigators say.

Tech

GSA, Defense reach agreement on acquisition policies

GSA will not hold Pentagon funds over from one fiscal year to another, in keeping with Defense legal interpretations.

Management

Industry sweats details of new small business rules

SBA officials say lengthy task orders and subcontracts could be addressed in future regulations.

Defense

Report: Dems should address rail security, grants process

Analysis also recommends oversight of biometric passports and stronger diplomacy.

Management

House, Senate pass landmark postal reform measure

Bill shifts burden of paying retirement benefits earned by postal workers during years they were in military service from Postal Service to Treasury Department.

Defense

Congress restores tenure of IG for Iraq reconstruction

President’s signature will extend oversight by highly successful audit office.

Defense

Defense secretary-designate backs personnel reforms

Robert Gates says pay and health benefits are key to military retention.

Tech

GSA budget document reveals revisions to IG’s requests

Document provides details on what the agency’s investigative branch has said is an attempt to “reduce serious scrutiny of the agency.”

Defense

DHS agency urged to continue retention bonus program

Nominee to become the department’s next management chief told lawmakers he will look into the issue.

Management

Congress to take up new measure to keep agencies open

Latest continuing resolution will prevent government shutdown until Feb. 15, as lawmakers continue to debate fiscal 2007 spending bills.

Management

Pet projects holding up extension of stopgap funding measure

None of the fiscal 2007 appropriations bills for domestic programs have been enacted; current continuing resolution expires Friday.

Management

Agency pledges to improve oil, gas royalty compliance reviews

Minerals Management Service will address problems with data accuracy and procedural and reporting flaws.

Tech

Incoming House chairman proposes restructuring of oversight panel

Soon-to-be head of the Government Reform Committee wants to streamline its subcommittees.