Oversight
Salazar orders Minerals Management Service to split three ways
Reorganization aims to separate enforcement, energy development and revenue collection missions.
Oversight
Vets preference tops list of concerns about hiring reform
Lawmakers, union officials stress need to preserve federal merit system principles.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Lawmaker questions data error in a Census Bureau report on states’ finances
Mistake underscores government’s need to shift to a widely used programming language to improve accuracy , analyst says.
Defense
Pentagon reports progress on anniversary of procurement reform law
Despite improvements, watchdog finds major programs still face requirements changes, software development challenges and workforce issues.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Lieberman's cybersecurity bill leans on buying power
Measure would require acquisition officers to learn about security vulnerabilities in technology products in an effort to use the government’s vast purchasing power to push vendors to provide more secure solutions.
Oversight
Interior chief says department shares responsibility for cleanup
Ken Salazar says efforts are underway to change culture at Minerals Management Service in wake of oil spill.
Oversight
Senate Dems weigh including budget blueprint in supplemental spending bill
Resolution would set discretionary spending level for fiscal 2011 and allow appropriators to move forward with annual spending bills.
Oversight
Bill to ease presidential transitions heads to full Senate
Oversight committee passes the bipartisan legislation without any changes.
Oversight
Obama to establish commission on oil spill as blame game heats up
BP and federal officials come under fire for not having a stronger plan to prevent and respond to a disaster.
Defense
White House to name FBI deputy director as new TSA head
This is the Obama administration’s third pick to lead the security agency, which has been without a permanent chief for more than one year.
Oversight
Concerns over pay loom as Pentagon returns to General Schedule
Managers’ association urge lawmakers to ensure top-performing Defense employees don’t lose pay.
Oversight
Democrat questions MMS realignment
House subcommittee chairman wants Interior to explain why leasing function and its environmental-compliance oversight would not be housed in the enforcement part of the agency.
Oversight
Industry coalition opposes PTO-fee bill
Group objects to legislation on grounds that it does not include a provision prohibiting agency funds from being diverted for other government programs.
Oversight
Parties ponder price of skirting budget vote
Republicans and Democrats weigh the political risks of not passing a fiscal 2011 budget blueprint.
Defense
Forward Observer: Gates' Swan Song?
Pentagon chief is clearly fed up with the status quo in the military-industrial-political complex.
Oversight
Hiring reform could signal end of federal internship program
Unions feel confident OPM review will lead to program’s elimination.
Defense
Defense opts for multiyear F/A-18 deal
Officials say purchase would save 10 percent over a traditional contract.
Oversight
Obama blasts oil execs, MMS over spill
President decries "cozy relationship" between agency, industry.
Oversight