Tech
Auditors blame VA data breach on security flaws
Inspector general reports have noted information security vulnerabilities at the agency since 1997.
Management
Top Democrat says he would lead oversight panel in bipartisan manner
Postal reform bill is an example of a substantive measure that could be handled without partisan fighting, Waxman says.
Defense
Fraudulent Katrina aid may exceed $1 billion
GAO revises its estimate of improper payments in FEMA disaster assistance program upward, to as much as $1.4 billion.
Management
House GOP leader previews report on cutting government waste
Next week, House is scheduled to take up line-item veto, sunset commission legislation.
Defense
House panel approves Defense, Labor-HHS spending bills
Full chamber passes $94.5 billion supplemental spending measure for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, border security, hurricane relief and pandemic flu preparedness.
Management
Senate bill paves way for pay-for-performance
Legislation introduced by Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, requires beefed-up performance reviews, but stops short of fully linking raises to ratings.
Management
Defense says Safavian made ‘innocent errors’ as trial ends
Prosecution paints defendant as advancing lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s interests over the public’s; former procurement chief will appeal if found guilty on all counts.
Tech
Data breaches raise more questions about computer security law
Recent rash of reported IT security problems at agencies has lawmakers considering changes to the Federal Information Security Management Act.
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