Oversight

Congress weighs federal funds for Gulf cleanup

Officials say the full cost of the project still is being assessed.

Oversight

Lawmakers sponsor bill to allow earlier FEHBP enrollment for adult kids

Legislation would extend coverage to unmarried dependents during 2010.

Defense

Industry officials criticize ‘quota-driven’ Defense insourcing

Contractor trade group, labor union, express concern about Pentagon plan to move thousands of jobs in-house.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Unplugged VA computer affects treatment of cancer patients

Without network connection , doctors could not check X-rays of veterans with prostate cancer to determine how they were responding to radiation, the department’s inspector general reports.

Oversight

Ex-HUD chief cleared in contracts probe

Alphonso Jackson was under scrutiny for remarks suggesting he had canceled a government contract with a businessman who had criticized then-President George W. Bush.

Defense

Gates questions long-term need for 11 Navy carriers

Defense secretary signaled that the service may have to scale back or rethink its plans to pay for other priorities.

Oversight

Watchdog group issues plea for fiscal 2011 budget resolution

Senate will consider spending plan on the floor after it finishes financial reform legislation; it is unclear whether a resolution will be taken up in the House.

Oversight

Catching Breaks

Republicans have real pickup opportunities in Pennsylvania and Hawaii special elections.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Group gives open government plans mediocre marks

Some agencies such as NASA and Housing and Urban Development receive high grades for going beyond White House requirements for transparency, but most others fall short of meeting presidential directive.

Defense

Navy seeks time to decide F/A-18 aircraft deal

Top official says the service is still gathering facts and estimating possible savings under multiyear procurement.

Oversight

Stimulus recipients report high job creation during first quarter

Recovery Act contracts, grants and loans funded more than 680,000 jobs during first three months of the year, according to new data.

Defense

Armed Services panels prepare for Defense authorization markups

House chairman advises against using measure as vehicle to legislate on "don't ask, don't tell."

Oversight

Obama offers strong defense of government in Michigan speech

‘Government is us,’ president says in commencement address, arguing the focus should be on making it work better.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: VA finds bug that caused mix-up in health exchange system

Glitch that combined patient data or returned incomplete files should be fixed in May.

Oversight

Contracting program to help the disadvantaged riddled with fraud

GAO finds yacht-owning, Lamborghini-driving executives winning millions in 8(a) Business Development Program deals.

Oversight

Senator stands firm on consumer protection bureau

Proposed agency is an obstacle in gaining enough Republican votes to pass a bill overhauling the financial regulatory system.

Oversight

Obama halts new offshore drilling but defends plan

Coastal state Democrats call on the president to reconsider drilling strategy in light of Gulf Coast accident and oil spill.

Defense

Agency saves time and money with online recruiting

NSA nets hundreds of qualified job candidates with one employee's idea to host a virtual career fair.

Oversight

IG: Agencies lack accurate product efficiency information

Energy’s shortcomings mean federal procurement officials rely on out-of-date specifications.

Oversight

Lawmaker warns of dwindling time for budget resolution

Decision must come soon for the House to have a chance of passing fiscal 2011 spending bills by August recess, Budget Committee chairman says.