Oversight

OPM: Only Federal Employees Will Do Final Review of Background Checks

The move is in response to fraud charges against outside contractor that vetted NSA whistleblower and Navy Yard shooter.

Management

Senate Panel Approves Postal Service Overhaul

After debating pricing structure and guns in post offices, committee finally advances landmark reform bill.

Oversight

Analysis: Henry Waxman: A Relic of the Era When Congress Used to Work

With the possible exceptions of Ted Kennedy and John Dingell, no one in the past 50 years or more has had a broader impact on American society than the retiring California representative.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Obamacare Puts America to Sleep

Affordable Care Act news is making Stephen Colbert sleepy.

Oversight

Remember the IRS Tea-Party Scandal? Get Ready for Round Two

Obama isn't talking about it, but his administration might restrain the activities of advocacy groups, including ones the IRS targeted last year.

Oversight

Play of the Day: America Gets Distracted

The president and Fox News move the country's attention.

Management

Republican Debt-Ceiling Strategy Emerges

House GOP could resurrect a plan to force the Senate to vote on a number of separate items, without making passage of them a requirement for raising the nation's borrowing limit.

Oversight

Next Wrinkle in IRS Flap: Does the IG Secretly Powwow with Republicans?

Democrats on House panel complain about watchdog’s private meetings with chairman.

Oversight

Army Guard Recruiting Fraud Tied to Weak Oversight

Sen. McCaskill says at hearing she wants “criminal” officers denied pensions.

Pay & Benefits

House Approves Bill to Temporarily Ban Senior Exec Bonuses at VA

Legislation would end performance awards through 2018 for top employees and save an estimated $18 million.

Nextgov

Federal Employee Violates Hatch Act With Political Tweets

The government has opted not to prosecute the tweeter who resigned last month.

Oversight

West Va. Senator: My Residents Are Losing Faith in Government

Sen. Jay Rockefeller said the political fallout from the Elk River chemical spill is perpetuating the state's sense of fatalism.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Chris Christie's Guide to Navigating Scandals

The New Jersey governor still says he knew nothing about the traffic closings.

Oversight

Congress Took More Free Trips in 2013 Than in Any Year Since Lobbying Reforms

The tally: 1,887 trips at a cost of $6 million, new data from LegiStorm shows

Oversight

Why We're Already Talking About the 2016 Race

There's not a lot happening in Washington, and what little is possible is already being done. No wonder people are looking ahead.

Tech

Where Obamacare Is and Isn't Working and Why

The single greatest predictor for where the healthcare law's exchanges are successful? Which party controls the state government.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Censure from the GOP

Weekend Update takes a look at John McCain's relationship with the Arizona Republican Party.

Oversight

Senator, Outside Group Push Back Against Military Sexual Assault Report

Panel says removing commanders' authority in military sexual-assault cases would not boost reporting or reduce the number of incidents.