Oversight

Obama: We Need 'Smarter Government'

President's State of the Union urges lawmakers to "keep the people's government open."

Defense

Top Pentagon Brass Lay Out Details of Sequestration Nightmare

Joint Chiefs ask senators to cancel threat and adjust continuing resolution.

Defense

Senate Panel Backs Hagel Nomination on Party-Line Vote

Full Senate vote on controversial nominee expected later this week.

Oversight

Comptroller warns government debt is unsustainable

GAO chief discusses improper payments, clean books, tax gap and duplication.

Oversight

Congress Can Approve a Budget This Year, Lawmakers Say

Republican and Democrat say political will to fix appropriations process will determine success.

Defense

Republicans May Take Hagel Nomination Fight to Senate Floor

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., still seeks Benghazi answers.

Defense

With Obama's Plan, 32,000 Troops Would Remain in Afghanistan in 2014

President Obama will announce his timetable during his State of the Union speech.

Management

National Security Insiders: Sequestration is Going to Happen

Nearly 80 percent say there's no way a deal can be done to avoid across-the-board cuts by the March 1 deadline.

Management

Agencies Must Provide Better Protection for Sexual Assault Victims, OPM Says

Department-specific plans needed to address domestic violence and assault.

Oversight

Play of the Day: The Grammys, George W. Bush and the Pope

The hacking of the former president, music awards and Benedict XVI’s resignation make for a jammed comedy Monday.

Oversight

Horse Meat Lasagna: The Secret Ingredient Is Regulatory Incompetence

Watered down food safety rules are at the heart of the European scandal.

Oversight

Treasury Nominee Expected to Ace Confirmation Hearing

Former budget director will be grilled on taxes, budget but Jack Lew will come prepared.

Management

Obama May Avoid Talking Sequestration in State of the Union

President is reluctant to focus on deep spending cuts.

Management

Pentagon Fails to Explain Sole-Source Contracts, GAO Says

Officials found to be confused or unaware of new requirements for justifications.

Oversight

Thousands of Organizations Mobilize Against Sequestration

Contractors, academics and union members warn of harm from automatic cuts.

Oversight

Watchdog Finds Well-Oiled Revolving Door Linking SEC and Industry

Hundreds of ex-feds defend private sector against their former offices, POGO finds.

Oversight

Obama to Shift Focus Back to Jobs, Economy in State of the Union Address

Administration plans to fight the perception that the president has lost his focus on the economy.

Oversight

Play of the Day: Uruguay, Paraguay or the Presidency?

David Letterman asks the rhetorical questions about Hillary Clinton

Pay & Benefits

White House: Sequestration Would Mean Hundreds of Thousands of Furloughs

Official says he does not have a more specific estimate of affected feds, but “it’s high.”