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.

Defense

Concern grows over stalled GSA nomination

Martha Johnson was named administrator in April, but a hold by Republican Sen. Kit Bond has left her in limbo.

Oversight

Labor leaders pitch health bill concerns to Obama

Union officials are wary of an excise tax provision in the Senate version, which they claim would hit their members and other middle-class workers.

Defense

New airport screening policy under fire

Some groups are arguing that extra security measures for passenger from certain countries amount to racial profiling.

Oversight

Vows of bipartisanship give way to rancor on House oversight panel

Republicans question chairman’s commitment to the job, but Democrat fights back.

Defense

Questions persist about security lapses

Leaders of Senate oversight committee will hold a hearing to examine why the intelligence community was unable to detect attempted Christmas Day attack.

Oversight

USDA chief plans for Afghanistan trip

Agriculture development is the Obama administration's top nonmilitary priority in Afghanistan.

Oversight

House will return for short work week

Chamber will be in session Tuesday and Wednesday next week, then will break until Jan. 19.

Oversight

Agency defends 'clunkers' contracts

Transportation spokeswoman says there was no time to competitively bid contracts to administer the program.

Oversight

Senator blocks Treasury nominees

Arizona Republican has placed holds on nominees with jurisdiction over tax policy and international finance because of a delay in new Internet gambling prohibitions.

Defense

Lawmaker asks GAO to investigate gaps in terrorist watch lists

Suspect in the attempted Christmas Day terror attack was flagged in one database, but his name never appeared on the watch or no-fly list.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Hundreds of vets participate in test of sharing electronic health records

The Veterans Affairs Department and Kaiser Permanente will exchange electronic patient files to test if they can improve care and lower costs by reducing redundant lab procedures.

Oversight

Interior Department tightens leasing rules

Changes include additional environmental analysis.

Defense

Army to spend heavily on new aircraft

Additional medical evacuation helicopters to support the troop buildup in Afghanistan are among the aircraft needed.

Oversight

Patent and Trademark Office seeks OK to spend higher fee income

Agency will be forced to operate on a "bare-bones budget" that would not allow adequate hiring, unless it receives more funds, chief says.

Oversight

Government management is a fit for businessman, observers say

As federal performance chief, entrepreneur Jeffrey Zients takes on his toughest project yet -- improving government.