Defense
Dems blast U.S. officials for wasting billions in Iraqi money
Coalition Provisional Authority did not track funds after dispersal to Iraqi ministries.
Defense
DHS agency to scour jails for illegal immigrants
Fiscal 2008 budget would grant immigration, customs agencies funding for staffing increases.
Tech
More money, end of fee diversion sought for patent agency
In fiscal 2008, the agency anticipates hiring an additional 1,200 patent examiners and plans to continue expanding telework efforts.
Defense
President proposes cuts to 141 programs
Nonsecurity spending would go up 1 percent in fiscal 2008.
Management
Bush plan aims to return to budget surplus by 2012
Democrats are skeptical, saying proposal relies on misguided policies including tax cut extensions and cuts in domestic programs.
Tech
Budget proposal includes 2.6 percent increase for IT
Number of technology investments rated as well-planned and managed drops.
Management
Budget plan touches only the surface of long-term fiscal issues
By 2040, interest on the debt could reach about 15 percent of gross domestic product.
Tech
Senators criticize HHS over security of health data
Panel focuses on health IT privacy matters related to the Office of Personnel Management's benefits program for federal employees.
Management
Industry group urges flexibility in emergency contracting
Socio-economic preferences for federal contracts may need to be suspended, but should be preserved for small firms, task force suggests.
Tech
Spending bill highlights appropriators’ IT priorities
A few key IT projects receive line items in bill to keep agencies running through the rest of the fiscal year.
Management
Freshman Missouri senator sets out to tackle government waste
Sen. Claire McCaskill, a former state auditor, says her office will pay close attention to Government Accountability Office reports.
Management
Unfinished spending measure complicates release of fiscal 2008 budget
OMB official discusses complexities, says confrontations over the new budget may be more public with Democrats in control of Congress.
Defense
Defense develops tool to assess skills of acquisition workforce
System to compile information about individual and servicewide competencies is set to be deployed early this year.
Management
Agencies scrutinize more payments for mistakes
OMB embraces greater improper payment risks as sign of better analysis; almost all susceptible dollars to be assessed in fiscal 2008.
Management
SBA chief updates progress on disaster loan program
Administrator says program's processing system has been completely revamped under a plan hammered out during an August conference.
Management
Lawmakers unveil bills to improve language proficiency
Measures would encourage the government to develop a strategy on promoting fluency in foreign languages.
Tech
Report: IRS protected taxpayer data during flood
Auditors also find that several computer servers were removed from the agency’s headquarters before an asset-tracking system was put in place.
Management
Split GOP helps House pass long-term spending measure
Bill now moves to the Senate, where Democrats have a tougher task in obtaining the necessary 60 votes to cut off debate and pass it.
Tech
House panels offer fertile ground to review tech issues
Telework would benefit from a close analysis by government management subcommittee, outside observer says.
Management