Management

Lawmakers write IRS in opposition to tax collections outsourcing plan

House Transportation-Treasury spending bill includes language barring agency from contracting with the private sector for collections.

Tech

Panel moves to tighten data security for veterans

Bill would require the VA secretary to hire an outside agency to conduct a risk analysis after security breaches.

Management

House committee approves bills to sunset programs

Votes fall along party lines with key Democrat concerned commissions would be partisan, put agencies on “extermination” schedules.

Tech

Proposed database would track federal spending

House and Senate bills differ in whether contracts would be included in addition to grants.

Tech

VA chief opposes making CIO an undersecretary

A House committee approved a bill Thursday elevating the IT chief's status.

Management

Chances poor for line-item veto legislation

House passed its version of the measure last month, but White House has not been pushing the bill as hard in the Senate.

Defense

Panel moves bill to deal with pandemic, health disasters

Measure would make the secretary of HHS the lead federal official responsible for public health and medical responses to emergencies.

Management

Panel debates competing bills to 'sunset' federal programs

Critics say unelected members of review commissions could eliminate programs without public input.

Management

Senators weigh bill on disclosure of government spending

Requirement to report procurement spending may prove sticking point.

Defense

DHS pledges to update purchase card regulations

Big-screen TV, dog booties and meals-ready-to-eat bought with purchase cards still languish on shelves.

Tech

VA’s top lawyer resigns

General counsel’s memorandums on attempts to centralize authority over IT security had engendered criticism.

Tech

OPM prepares legislation allowing agencies to require telework

Employees and managers are responsible for securing information and property when working offsite, official says.

Management

Paperwork burden up by by 441 million hours last year

Medicare prescription drug program accounted for largest increase.

Management

More Than a Slogan

The right mission statement can move employees to take their task to heart.

Tech

VA panel to move data breach bill

Measure contains notification requirements and language on credit-monitoring services.

Tech

GSA financial situation worse than predicted

Internal documents show the Federal Technology Service was $104 million in the hole as of June 30.

Management

Labor-HHS spending bill likely to wait until at least September

Primary obstacle has been minimum wage increase; education and health funding levels also have prompted criticism.

Defense

DHS seeks shift in funds to cover Federal Protective Service shortfall

Gap attributed to late payments from client agencies, lack of staff, and financial mismanagement.

Tech

OMB publishes online catalog of IT guidelines

Catalog consolidates cross-agency information on technology policy in one spot.

Management

Postal reform bill talks stall over labor costs

White House advisers pushing for a final bill requiring all labor negotiations to go through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.