Defense

States get expanded role in Guard policy

A bipartisan Council of Governors will advise the administration on National Guard and other homeland defense issues.

Oversight

House majority leader touts deficit reduction commission, pay/go

Comments come as Senate is looking at debt ceiling increase.

Oversight

White House solicits advice from industry on modernizing government

Top leaders discuss ways to upgrade technology in government to improve management.

Defense

Marines cite mounting equipment needs

Congress so far has approved about $16 billion to repair and replace equipment lost in combat.

Oversight

Senate takes on thorny debt limit increase

Bill would raise limit above the $13 trillion ceiling the House approved last year.

Oversight

Dems aim to send health bill to CBO Friday

Taxes are still an issue in negotiations.

Defense

State Department employees are accounted for after quake

President Obama promises massive, multiagency relief effort in Haiti.

Defense

Navy advocates see rough waters ahead

Virginia Republican says defense budgets have not been adequate to meet the needs of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Defense

Lawmakers outline Hill terrorism probes

House panels will investigate systemic and human errors involved in Dec. 25 failed attempt to blow up a Northwest flight.

Oversight

Homeland Security halts deportations to Haiti after earthquake

Lawmakers want Obama to grant illegal Haitian immigrants temporary refuge through a controversial emergency program.

Oversight

Report calls for overhaul of presidential transition process

Observers say political objections could make reforms difficult.

Defense

Admiral: Fleet size hinges on larger maintenance budget

Navy official says he doesn't know how much more improved ship maintenance will cost, but has ordered his command to cut expense everywhere it can.

Defense

Customs got alleged terrorist's name days before flight

But officials assert that Abdulmutallab would not have been flagged because he was not already identified in key intelligence and law enforcement databases.

Oversight

Transportation IG finds gaps in contractor enforcement

Firms eligible for suspension under department policy instead won millions in stimulus funds.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Federal IT spending to increase almost 4 percent in fiscal 2010

Agencies will spend more on transparency initiatives and social networking, research firm predicts.

Oversight

Democrats slam effort to block EPA from regulating emissions

Agency’s recent finding that greenhouse gas pollution endangers public health and welfare is the independent work of scientists and "should stand on its own," Democrats say.

Oversight

Empty Agriculture offices, including food safety, raise concerns

Five key leadership positions remain vacant despite several outbreaks of food-borne illness in 2009.

Oversight

House leaders return, with health overhaul back on front burner

Lawmakers will focus on how the two bills will pay for reform costs.

Oversight

A Vicious Circle

From retirements to party defections, the bad news for Democrats keeps coming.

Oversight

Intelligence HR chief is stepping down

Ron Sanders has been instrumental in creation of intelligence pay-for-performance systems.