Defense
OMB details many concerns with intelligence bills
Congressional notification provisions in House and Senate authorization measures top the list of issues.
Defense
Nominee's ties to TSA contractors raise ethics concerns
White House says retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding will recuse himself for one year from matters relating to security firm he founded.
Oversight
Narrow Margin
The results of latest polls are not nearly as favorable for Democrats as superficial glances would suggest.
Oversight
GAO upholds Afghan training contract protest
DynCorp International argues that the Army’s new proposed task orders were outside the scope of the underlying multiple awards contract.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Audit blames OMB's lack of guidance for shoddy contracting data
But agencies also are responsible for accurate reporting of contract award spending, analysts say.
Oversight
Agencies’ progress meeting FOIA transparency mandate mixed
Research institute finds more pressure and leadership from the administration are needed to make significant changes.
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