Management
NASA admits mistake in blocking access to scientist
Denial of interview with top climate scientist ran against agency policy, official says in letter to lawmakers.
Defense
Negotiators reach deal on supplemental spending bill
Senate appropriators agree to trim $14.4 billion from their version of bill to meet Bush's demands.
Defense
Subpanel votes to remove disaster housing from FEMA
Bill would shift responsibility to HUD and would allow only three emergency housing trailers per site to avoid crowding.
Defense
VA opposes bill to let veterans hire lawyers
Legislation being pushed in House and Senate would allow vets to use legal counsel to help in obtaining benefits.
Tech
Human resources consolidation project advances
OPM signals that federal shared service providers will compete with the private sector, but details have yet to be released.
Defense
Corporate disaster response team hailed as model of efficiency
Time to fix communications infrastructure in typical scenario is less than 24 hours, AT&T officials say.
Management
House panel votes to untangle bureaucratic language
Bill would require agencies to use plain language writing so ordinary citizens could understand regulations.
Management
Iraq IG cites successes in reconstruction oversight
Legislators call for more congressional hearings to probe alleged fraud and mismanagement.
Tech
VA cuts telework, bans employee-owned computers
Moves by VA Secretary James Nicholson are intended to prevent security breaches.
Management
Bill to reopen FAA labor negotiations fails
National Air Traffic Controllers Association vows to continue the fight against the contract the agency recently implemented.
Management
Senate approves measure to strengthen purchase card oversight
Committee praises provisions for small business purchases.
Defense
Report: Air marshals concerned they are too visible
Rank and file also complain of long hours and vertigo; agency says some of the policies cited in complaints have been changed.
Tech
Management structure contributed to VA data breach, observers say
With Congress investigating one of the nation’s largest data breaches, former VA officials blame a weak IT management structure.
Management
OPM pushes nontraditional career patterns
Eventually, agencies will be graded on whether they make unconventional work arrangements available to employees.
Management
Bill returning FAA to bargaining table faces veto threat
Vote on legislation requiring negotiations with union expected Wednesday; agency already has implemented contract.
Management
New GSA chief promises ‘actions, not words’
Lurita Doan pledges to get prospective contractors listed on schedules within 30 days.
Management
Safavian: Advice to Abramoff did not cross line
Former GSA official says he never questioned trip costs, blames government ethics learning curve for some actions.
Management
Bid to close Missouri mapping center draws opposition
House panel passes language thwarting U.S. Geological Survey consolidation plan; member will attempt to undo provision in conference.
Management