Defense
Senate panel approves supplemental, floor fights await
Bill includes $33.5 billion for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and $68 million to help with the Gulf oil spill.
Oversight
Federal acquisition councils anticipate mandate to increase transparency
But the administration has not yet directed agencies to post contract documents online.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Laptop stolen from VA contractor contains veterans’ personal data
Rep. Steven Buyer, R-Ind., tells Veterans Affairs secretary that hundreds of the department’s contractors are not adhering to rules and regulations requiring them to encrypt data stored on computers.
Defense
Panels OK special ops, cybersecurity funds
Other approved funds included $168 billion for the military's operations and maintenance accounts.
Oversight
April deficit of $82.7 billion sets record for month
Increase is fueled by spending to invigorate the economy and a fall in revenue.
Defense
House panel poised to cut nearly $1B in Army programs
Program that includes small unmanned air and ground vehicles is emerging as one of the biggest targets for cuts in the fiscal 2011 defense authorization bill.
Defense
Customs and border chief faces scrutiny over household staff
Alan Bersin did not maintain proper employment forms for employees, Senate investigators report.
Oversight
Lawmakers push potty parity
New legislation requires an equal number of male and female toilets in federal buildings.
Oversight
Senators call for sanctions against contractors doing business with Iran
GAO finds seven companies with U.S. contracts also worked in Iran’s energy sector.
Defense
Committee approves three veterans bills
Bills range from therapeutic companion dogs to chiropractors for injured or emotionally troubled vets.
Defense
House panel boosts military pay raise
Increase of half a percentage point over administration request comes just days after Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked Congress to hold the line on raises.
Oversight
Senator concedes floor time for budget resolution hard to get
Other legislative priorities, including a war supplemental, could crowd out the spending blueprint.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Treatment program agency shows how a dashboard can work
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration tracks in near real time the results of state and local efforts to inform federal officials and Congress -- and soon the public.
Oversight
Private employees face barriers entering the federal workforce, observers say
Most external applicants don’t understand how to navigate the government’s complicated hiring process.
Oversight
Senators introduce earmark database bill
Proposal answers State of the Union request for a single website listing prospective directed spending so taxpayers can follow the money.
Oversight
Proposal would expand contractor performance database
Records would stay in the system for one decade and would include incidents not directly related to federal work.
Oversight
Interior will restructure Minerals Management Service
Reorganization would create an independent safety and environmental enforcement entity.
Oversight
GOP appropriators urge IRS bumps be left out of budget resolution
Increases for enforcement programs would be tantamount to earmarks since they would be set aside for specific purposes, Republicans argue.
Oversight