Oversight
Senator: Deficit panel could slow budget process
Republican argues commission will provide an excuse for Democrats not to pass a budget resolution; Democrats say they still will try to move the budget blueprint.
Oversight
Legislation aims to improve presidential transitions
Senators look to formalize and build on best practices from the last transfer of power.
Defense
Lawmakers question management, progress at blast injury treatment centers
Pentagon has lagged behind in creating medical centers of excellence; goals remain largely unmet.
Defense
Rights groups oppose proposed biometric Social Security cards
Employers would be able to swipe the card through a machine to confirm someone's identity and immigration status.
Defense
Senators see gaps in Coast Guard's budget plan
The service would be the only military branch to experience a personnel decrease in Obama's budget request.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Senate set to consider NSA chief as head of Cyber Command
Lawmakers have held up Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander’s nomination because of concerns about the militarization of cyberspace, the command’s relationship with the National Security Agency and the use of the Internet.
Defense
Firefighters could lose jobs because of age
Dozens of Defense contract firefighters would be ineligible for their jobs under insourcing plan.
Oversight
House majority leader bearish on budget passage
It's hard to get budget blueprints approved in election years, Rep. Steny Hoyer says.
Defense
House lawmakers protest transfer of Guard's C-130s
Letter demands the short- and long-term goals the Air Force hopes to achieve by taking the aircraft from reserve units.
Oversight
Of Swans and Spoilers
To improve their Election Day prospects, Democrats would need an extraordinary game-changing event or a GOP implosion.
Oversight
GAO calls for more outsourcing, part-time employees at Postal Service
Watchdog and lawmakers disagree over whether workforce restructuring will improve USPS’ bottom line.
Oversight
White House: Earmark spending is decreasing
Administration touts 27 percent drop in directed spending between fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010; watchdog group says figures are misleading.
Oversight
Health care reform law’s impact on IRS is uncertain
Agency won’t seize assets or levy bank accounts to force compliance with individual insurance mandate, commissioner says.
Oversight
Agriculture Department's soybean investigation nearing end
Two-year investigation into possible misspending in the soybean research program nears conclusion.
Oversight
Advocacy group says women not moving up the federal ranks
Movement into senior federal jobs has slowed, according to Federally Employed Women.
Defense
GOP: Treaty might imperil missile defense
Arms reduction treaty with Russia may prevent movement on Europe missile defenses, fueling Republican opposition.
Oversight
Agencies to get more nuanced marks on small business contracting
Moving from a stoplight system to letter grades will increase clarity and transparency of score card, according to SBA.
Oversight
Whistleblower protection agency stuck in neutral
Office of Special Counsel soon will be 18 months without a permanent Senate-confirmed leader.
Oversight
OPM launches tool to cut red tape in hiring
Shared databases would shorten hiring process for certain jobs and eliminate duplicative applications.
Oversight