Oversight

Feds stand behind energy savings performance contracts

Despite some problems, the deals are viewed as an essential tool for modernizing facilities.

Oversight

Key federal management lawmakers brace for health care vote

Most House members with government employees in their districts say they will approve the legislation.

Oversight

Analysis: Labor-Management Partnership 2.0

As agency and union officials enter a new age of cooperation they can draw lessons from the Clinton years.

Oversight

Postal Service counts on Congress to get it out of a tight spot

Lawmakers say they’ll need more information before they can get behind a plan to reduce the number of delivery days.

Oversight

Chairmen don't expect fiscal 2011 budget resolution until after recess

Health care reform is delaying work on budget.

Defense

Pentagon audit cited TSA nominee's firm for overbilling

Company founded by retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding overcharged the government for interrogation work in Iraq and had to pay back about $2 million.

Oversight

Posting information online could preempt FOIA requests

Technology can help agencies tackle new queries and backlogs, federal officials tell lawmakers.

Oversight

Bill ties Cadillac tax to feds’ health care costs

Reform legislation will study FEHBP costs to gauge which insurance plans should include excise tax.

Oversight

Republican senators divided on earmark ban

Meeting comes after House GOP lawmakers pledged not to take any earmarks for one year.

Defense

Interrogation work by TSA nominee's firm under review

Congressional staffers are investigating whether Harding's former consulting company had ties to the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Oversight

Lawmakers, employee groups clash over tax bill

Opponents say legislation banning tax delinquents from government service could unfairly target federal employees.

Oversight

SEC chief backs self-funding

Plan would allow the commission to retain the fees it collects.

Oversight

Committee to review gaps in contractor suspension and debarment

Three recent IG reports have found major deficiencies in the system for preventing unethical contractors from getting on the government payroll.

Oversight

Senate approves FAA rider to return unspent earmarks

Plan would require OMB to determine how many similar earmarks there are governmentwide.

Defense

White House details ethics agreement with TSA nominee

Harding will have three levels of recusals for dealing with the contracting business he founded in 2003 and the clients and partners of that business.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Napolitano freezes spending for high-tech border security project

Secretary cites cost overruns and missed deadlines as reasons to move $50 million in Recovery Act funding for the first phase of SBInet to pay for proven technologies.

Defense

FEMA seeks to boost regional offices

Lawmakers praise efforts to decentralize operations, but worry about staffing shortages.

Oversight

Dems hit Kentucky senator for new holds

Republican Jim Bunning is holding up administration nominees, critics say.

Defense

Petraeus: Expect setbacks in Afghan war

Army general says next several months will be marked by tough fighting, as the military sends 30,000 more troops to quell rising violence.

Defense

Legal adviser: Drone position will be explained

State Department's Harold Koh said he is "comfortable" with the administration's legal position on the use of unmanned aircraft to kill suspected terrorists.