Oversight
New bill would improve Peace Corps volunteer safety
Legislation would extend federal whistleblower protections to volunteers and institute measures to handle and prevent rape and assault.
Oversight
Debt-ceiling talks move toward the end game
Republicans left Biden panel Thursday, calling for President Obama to get more involved in negotiations.
Defense
Petraeus acknowledges differences with Obama over Afghan drawdown
President's plan is significantly faster than the general had wanted.
Oversight
Federal grant-making procedures could be consolidated, controller says
House hearing focuses on reducing waste through improving transparency and strengthening grants website.
Defense
Former top officials dissect homeland security since 9/11
Government has learned many lessons since terrorist attacks, but partisan politics and lack of information sharing across sectors still pose problems, panelists say.
Oversight
GOP lawmaker proposes overhaul of USPS
Rep. Darrell Issa’s legislation would cut delivery frequency and adjust workers’ pay and benefits.
Oversight
Republicans pull out of debt talks
GOP negotiators say impasse over taxes must be resolved at a higher level.
Defense
Americans least confident in Congress, most confident in military, survey finds
Military's 78 percent rating is 11 points higher than the institution’s historical average.
Oversight
From Nextgov: Panel unanimously endorses new government-spending oversight board
Oversight Committee's ranking member questions the new group's subpoena power and transparency advocates oppose a sunset provision.
Oversight
Acting ATF director dismisses speculation he’s quitting
Under fire in a House panel’s probe of mishandled gun trafficking operations at Mexico border, Kenneth Melson stays put as Senate considers successor’s nomination.
Oversight
GAO: Defense needs to improve management of incentive pay
From fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2010, the services signed contracts worth $11 billion in enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses.
Defense
Ahead of Obama speech, key senator pushes withdrawal
Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin says he wants a “significant” reduction of forces in Afghanistan.
Oversight
U.S. long-term debt outlook worsens
Increasing debt will make it harder for lawmakers to adopt spending priorities in good times and will give them less flexibility during recessions.
Oversight
Postal Service suspends pension contributions
Halting payments to the FERS defined benefit plan will save $800 million in fiscal 2011, officials say.
Oversight
Panetta confirmed as Defense secretary
He will be tasked with implementing the start of troop withdrawals from Afghanistan.
Oversight
Former Fed chairman backs new plan for overhauling government
Volcker and Sen. Warner welcome NYU professor’s plan to save $1 trillion by reorganizing to attack waste.
Oversight
Education considers buyouts
Department is weighing whether to join a growing list of federal agencies attempting to downsize in response to budget pressures.
Oversight
Biden talks intensify; Gang of Six considers options
Groups are seeking way to conquer debt limit, deficit.
Oversight
How Baseball Is Different From Politics
Explaining Palin's decline in popularity by analogy to statistical scoring methods on the diamond.
Defense