Oversight
FOIA Reform Draws Backing from Ex-Archives Ombudsman
Bill would codify powers of the office responsible for mediating disputes between requesters and agencies.
Oversight
Ted Cruz Wants to Reform Federal Hiring
Lawmaker better known as the architect of the 2013 shutdown looks to add a hiring preference.
Nextgov
GAO: Pentagon's IT Planning is Too Sluggish
GAO's third examination of the Defense Department's major IT programs found some projects spent an average of five years, two months and $452 million before establishing cost and schedules.
Oversight
How a Treasury Watchdog Found Long-Lost Lois Lerner Emails in Just Two Weeks
During evening hearing on the discovery, House members tangle over alleged ‘criminal’ acts and IG bias.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Plight of the Whistleblowers
The Daily Show looks at protections for feds who blow the whistle on waste, fraud and abuse.
Oversight
Senate Conservatives Concede, Won't Delay DHS Bill
Passage of a "clean" measure expected before Friday deadline, though House prospects remain uncertain.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Call for Shutdown Solidarity, Offer to Refuse Pay If DHS Closes
Democrats introduce bill to withhold congressional pay if Homeland Security shuts down.
Oversight
Senators Launch Whistleblower Protection Caucus to Send Message
Grassley and Wyden cross the aisle to reinforce that those who report fraud or abuse “deserve praise, not hostility.”
Oversight
DHS Office Reminds Employees Counseling Is Available If There’s a Shutdown
Preparations also affect contractors, and IG weighs in with warning that nearly all oversight would cease.
Oversight
Play of the Day: The Real Question If Homeland Security Shuts Down
Americans don't care about a DHS shutdown, except for one thing.
Oversight
As Shutdown Nears, McConnell and Boehner Remain Far Apart
The two GOP leaders got together Wednesday, but unity remains elusive.
Pay & Benefits
Senator Demands Disclosure of Inspectors General Salaries
Sen. Claire McCaskill warns some are making twice as much as others.
Defense
DHS Has Begun Notifying Employees of Their Furlough Status
Congress is working on a deal to avoid a DHS shutdown, but the department says it must prepare for the worst.
Oversight
Democrats Fear an Ambush on the Senate Floor Over DHS Funding
To prevent a partial shutdown, Democrats have to trust that Ted Cruz and other Republicans won't betray them or hold up the whole process.
Oversight
How the Congressional Budget Office Won Over Lawmakers
Agency's objectivity helped it stay above the political fray, past directors note at 40th anniversary event.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Diamond Joe's Rites of Passage
The Daily Show takes another look at Joe Biden massaging Stephanie Carter.
Oversight
Senate Move Puts Boehner in a Bind Over DHS Funding
The Senate is preparing to send a clean DHS spending bill to the House, whether GOP leaders there want it or not.
Oversight
Lawmakers Want to Guarantee Back Pay For All DHS Employees if Agency Shuts Down
Bipartisan bill would provide retroactive pay to about 30,000 furloughed workers.
Oversight
Mitch McConnell Announces a Vote on a Clean DHS Funding Bill Is Coming
The Senate minority leader is making his move to try and prevent a shutdown.
Oversight