Defense

House panels OK conflicting plans to fix FEMA

One measure would make the agency independent again; other would keep it within the Homeland Security Department.

Defense

Defense agency resumes processing some clearances

Move will help 2,000 secret-level applications; Top Secret credentials and requests for re-investigations still stalled.

Management

GAO: IRS procedural flaws leave taxpayer materials vulnerable

Unauthorized access to secure areas, slow processing of large payments, procedures for hiring juveniles were among the problems.

Defense

Measure seeks penalties for contract cost overruns

Language in House defense bill would let the Pentagon reopen programs significantly exceeding cost goals to competition.

Management

Come Together

The military must foster partnerships as it focuses on stability operations.

Tech

Private sector may be invited to join in human resources consolidation

A request for proposals expected this summer would allow contractors to compete against federal service centers.

Management

House conservatives prepare attack on earmarks

Appropriators have been quick to point out that total earmarks are down in the first few fiscal 2007 appropriations bills, compared with last year.

Management

EEOC seeks to offer buyouts, early outs to headquarters employees

Funds freed up would be used to hire investigators, mediators and attorneys for field offices.

Defense

Border security initiative means more work for DHS

Department to assume responsibility for additional detainees, enforcement.

Management

Boeing may pay $615 million to close federal contracting investigations

Darleen Druyun investigation among those that would be ended; senior execs at company would avoid prosecution.

Management

GOP to put caps on individual spending bills

Approach has been used only four times in the history of the 1974 Budget Act, most recently in 1996.

Management

Legislative provision would benefit Postal Service competitors

Provision is in House version of postal reform bill; White House has threatened veto over language on veterans' pensions in both the House- and Senate-passed versions.

Defense

Lawmakers deny DHS extra funding for personnel system

Unions ask Congress to strip funding completely in an effort to halt human resources overhaul.

Defense

TSA plan to charge port workers for ID cards draws fire

Plan to gather as much as $118 million from workers may be challenged in public hearings.

Tech

Justice agency, union reach telework agreement

About 750 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives employees will have greater flexibility to work away from the office under new policy.

Management

House GOP again forced to delay vote on the fiscal 2007 budget

Negotiations will continue through the weekend but window of opportunity is closing.

Defense

Defense agency unsure when clearance processing will resume

As applications remain stalled, the need for already-cleared workers swells.

Management

Report recommends better management of contracting technical staff

Agencies should formally delegate responsibilities to technical side of contracting teams, enhance training, MSPB says.

Defense

Pentagon to track sexual assault responses

Victims will have option of keeping information confidential, and system will not track medical information.

Management

Tax withholding provision sparks uproar among contractors

Language slipped into tax cut package would require government to withhold 3 percent from payments for many goods and services.