Oversight

Senate passes improper payment bill

Legislation would require agencies to identify and recover nearly $100 billion in mistaken payments.

Defense

Gates: No one but Petraeus could step in

There was only one general officer poised to take over quickly and help troops in Afghanistan maintain their focus, according to the Defense secretary.

Oversight

Salazar to seek funding for drilling inspectors

Interior chief says he will request a fivefold increase, noting currently 62 inspectors are responsible for nearly 4,000 drilling activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Oversight

Senate panel approves supervisor training bill

Legislation introduced in 2009 advances, after more than one year on the shelf.

Defense

Napolitano pushes back against border security critics

Responding to Republicans slamming the administration on border security, DHS chief says U.S.-Mexico border will never be totally sealed.

Defense

Senator plans to expedite Petraeus' confirmation

Armed Services Committee chairman is confident McChrystal's replacement will be confirmed before July 4 recess.

Oversight

USPS will see pushback from industry, unions on delivery day reduction

Agency also must address funding of pensions and retiree health benefits to cut costs, panelists say.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Feds delayed measuring rate of Gulf oil flow for five weeks

High-tech sensors could have accurately estimated the amount of oil escaping, but BP executives turned down the technology saying the deep-water well would be capped quickly.

Oversight

Momentum is building to end secret holds

Missouri Democrat has commitments from 68 senators to end the practice of anonymously stalling nominees and bills.

Oversight

House Democrats trim budget by $7B

Budget chairman says he hopes the House will take up the package before the July 4 recess.

Defense

Navy working to meet cost-cutting goals, admiral says

Officials are looking for redundancies in organizations and programs, according to chief of operations.

Defense

White House to unveil revised ID management plan Friday

White House to unveil revised ID management plan Friday Strategy will build on past efforts, including the Bush administration’s attempt to establish universal credentials for accessing federal buildings and computers.

Oversight

Top financial officials have a full plate

CFOs are on the hook for $100 billion in erroneous payments in 2009 and a host of other problems.

Oversight

Senate clears executive nominees

Chamber confirms 64 executive nominees by unanimous consent after reaching a deal over National Labor Relations Board appointees.

Defense

Senator faces off with president on immigration

Arizona Republican Jon Kyl says Obama will only secure the Southwest border if it's part of a comprehensive immigration bill.

Oversight

Budget director to step down

Peter Orszag plans to leave the Obama administration this summer, becoming the first Cabinet member to depart.

Oversight

When Politics Is National

A recent poll of likely voters in battleground districts shows disturbing results for Democrats.

Defense

Defense policy bill could affect insourcing efforts

Provisions would prohibit quotas and require agencies to give “special consideration” to bringing several categories of contract work back in house.

Defense

Tough choices confront defense budget cutters

The Pentagon is looking for $100 billion in savings over five years, but it might not be as easy to find fat as it appears, analysts say.

Defense

Guard work defies easy labels

Witnesses tell wartime contracting panel a nuanced approach is needed to identify which security jobs should be off-limits to contractors.