Oversight

Census is counting on ad campaign

Agency hopes its offbeat commercials will save money by encouraging more people to return forms.

Oversight

Obama tries to dampen Medicare fears

The president kicks off a week of lobbying for healthcare reform, insisting the proposal is good for older Americans.

Oversight

Senator holds up bill compensating furloughed Transportation workers

Coburn says Congress should pay workers out of its own budget as punishment for its “inability to maintain core federal programs.”

Oversight

GOP announces debt panel picks

Congressional leaders have pledged to take up the panel's recommendations before the end of the year and have lawmakers cast an up-or-down vote.

Oversight

Stimulus workload taxes agency staffs and missions

Survey shows other projects have been put on the back burner, leading to award delays and less contract monitoring.

Oversight

Blue Dogs advocate three years of spending cuts

The moderate Democrats will suggest reducing nonsecurity discretionary spending by 2 percent annually for three years, and then freezing spending levels for two years.

Oversight

White House to post spending bill earmarks

Move is part of a broader effort to boost transparency and accountability.

Defense

Navy acknowledges schedule for F-35 fighter is slipping

Service had hoped to avoid delays that plagued the Air Force’s portion of the program, but now faces a 13-month lag.

Defense

Senators seek clean FAA bill

Extraneous provisions could erode bipartisan support for the measure, Commerce Committee leaders say.

Defense

Fighter jet's costs jump more than 50 percent

Increase means the Pentagon's largest program will breach the 1982 Nunn-McCurdy cost-control law.

Oversight

Congressional panel seeks broad Defense acquisition overhaul

Interim report suggests clearer contract requirements and stronger oversight of performance.

Oversight

Watchdogs applaud earmark ban, wonder about loopholes

House prohibition could just end up shifting spending directed to for-profits from "one side of the Capitol to the other," one observer cautions.

Oversight

House takes aim at Census look-alike letters

Bill would require non-Bureau mailings to have a disclaimer.

Oversight

Administration gets tough on improper payments

Obama directs agencies to hire more auditors who get paid based on the amount of money they recapture.

Defense

Dot, Dot, Dot . . .

Former Government Executive reporter Shane Harris discusses his book on why agencies are better at collecting intelligence than analyzing it.

Defense

White House: TSA nominee to avoid conflicts of interest

Harding plans to steer clear of matters involving former consulting clients.

Defense

McCain: Hill won't threaten tanker deal

Lawmakers will keep a close eye on the contract, but won't intervene, according to the Arizona Republican.

Oversight

House leader 'hopeful' budget blueprint will pass by Easter

Hoyer stresses lawmakers are not tied to that timeline.

Oversight

OMB staffer to be disciplined for threats to IG

Program examiner said his office would 'make life miserable' for OPM inspector general if he took budget complaints to Congress.

Oversight

Turning around negative view of government will take time, Obama official says

Strides in IT and human capital seen as key to improving program performance and gaining public trust.