Oversight
Senate passes bill to reform Census Bureau
Measure would make the director’s position a five-year presidentially appointed term beginning in 2012.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: White House details sweeping changes to federal computing
The 40-page strategy directs agency IT leaders to follow a ‘cloud first’ policy and evaluate the practicality of leasing access to Web-based equipment before buying new hardware or software.
Oversight
Agencies’ recruitment efforts show promise
Strategies for hiring veterans, disabled workers and other candidates are improving, report finds.
Defense
Senate Dems lose vote on 'don't ask' repeal
Democrats fail to overcome a Republican filibuster of the 2011 defense authorization bill that included a provision repealing the 1993 law.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: USDA moves to the cloud
Agency plans to move 120,000 users to cloud-based messaging system.
Defense
Northrop sees rising demand for Global Hawks
The company is working closely with Air Force officials on addressing the concerns of Pentagon and Air Force acquisition executives over the growing cost of the program.
Oversight
Viewpoint: Happy Birthday, Open Government Directive
The Obama administration has created an infrastructure that puts agencies on a path to proactively involving citizens in federal decision making.
Oversight
California Republican wins chairmanship of House oversight panel
Rep. Darrell Issa has served as the committee’s ranking member for two years and plans to put the Obama administration under the microscope.
Oversight
Spending bill freezes agency budgets, employee pay
House lawmakers push measure forward as Senate continues to work on its version.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: GAO says plan to replace air traffic control system lacks performance metrics
Without specific goals for NextGen, FAA risks failure , watchdog warns.
Oversight
Subcontractor, subgrantee data now available to the public
After nearly two years of delays, USASpending.gov opens a window to new levels of detail on government payments.
Oversight
Pay-Freeze Politics
Does Obama’s proposal to freeze federal pay signal a real change in direction or is just an idle gesture?
Oversight
Deficit commission finds a few more cuts to make
Homeland Security grant programs and international broadcast operations added to a list of more than $200 billion in proposed cuts the panel is fine-tuning.
Oversight
Federal oil rig inspectors hit for lapses preceding BP spill
Presidential commission slams out-of-date training and coziness with industry as Interior regulators reorganize and prepare reforms.
Defense
Defense revises rule on contractor business systems
New proposal lowers the amount the government can withhold from contractors that don’t do enough to protect against waste, fraud and abuse.
Oversight
Commission sets stage for 2011 budget debate
Panel co-chairmen expect House spending blueprint to include many of their recommendations.
Oversight
Consumer complaint website will test wisdom of crowds
Agency approval of a March 2011 launch of online tool for reports on harmful products promises unprecedented information, risk of defamation.
Defense
Marine Corps, Army chiefs oppose ending 'don't ask' this year
Leaders say ending the ban on openly gay troops now would distract forces from combat training and operations.
Oversight
House looks to pass full fiscal year CR
Senate will either attach an omnibus spending bill, or adopt longer-term continuing resolution to keep government running.
Defense