Oversight
Proposals to ban earmarks continue to pick up steam
Potential amendment to jobs bill would throw up roadblocks to fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 measures that include directed spending.
Oversight
Eye on 2012
The quest for the GOP presidential nomination will begin in earnest next month in New Orleans.
Oversight
Court puts HUBZone firms at top of small business pecking order
U.S. Court of Federal Claims finds that Historically Underutilized Business Zone companies have priority over 8(a) and veteran-owned firms.
Oversight
Obama taps former intelligence officer to lead TSA
Labor unions take a wait-and-see approach to nomination of retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding.
Oversight
Moderate Democrats pitch bailout repayment bill
Six Blue Dog leaders advocate legislation to recoup the cost of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program and pay down the growing deficit.
Defense
Forward Observer: QDR is a Quite Disappointing Report
Goal of the strategy document seems to be to avoid ruffling feathers.
Oversight
Look-alike Census mailings targeted by House measure
Bill takes aim at bogus fliers that could discourage people from returning the authentic forms.
Oversight
IG: Homeland Security isn’t awarding noncompetitive contracts by the book
Lack of market research and acquisition planning could mean DHS isn’t receiving the best value for taxpayers, watchdog says.
Oversight
Delays plague Energy’s Recovery Act spending
Staffing shortages, confusion over labor rules and environmental assessments have contributed to problems.
Defense
Senate confirms Defense nominees stalled by GOP holds
Republicans cave in after being pressed to explain wartime holds that weren't based on the merits of the candidates for Air Force and acquisition jobs.
Defense
Screening of all U.S.-bound air cargo still years away
Biggest challenge is getting cooperation from the governments of 20 countries where nearly 85 percent of cargo originates, senior official says.
Oversight
Senator: Contracting provisions will be passed in next jobs bill
Landrieu says bipartisanship helped advance a measure to resolve long-standing small business contracting problems.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Wiki in the works for sharing safest travel routes in Afghanistan
Network would replace ad hoc Internet communications among nonmilitary personnel with missions in war zone.
Oversight
Provision to fire tax-delinquent federal employees pulled
Republicans claim the majority is protecting federal employees; Democrats urge patience as details are ironed out.
Oversight
OPM aims to release revised retirement statements by mid-April
Agency is testing new system to fix a glitch in the annuity calculator that affected thousands of retirees.
Defense
Oversight panel leader slams new KBR contract
Lawmaker wants to know why the Pentagon continues to do business with the company despite faulty electrical work that may have contributed the deaths of 18 service members.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Army will tap its ‘digital natives’ for apps
Contest under way to award $30,000 in prize money for software programs that will fundamentally change the way the Army operates.
Defense
Contractors could make or break Afghanistan surge
Agencies are aiming to steer clear of the waste, fraud and corruption that plagued Iraq procurements.
Oversight
Grassley might oppose Treasury nominee
Republican lawmaker has concerns over the use of certain tax breaks by Obama's pick for undersecretary of domestic finance.
Oversight