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.
Oversight
Senator seeks review of 'cash for clunkers' effort
Grassley says program's fast turnaround created an “environment ripe for waste, fraud and abuse.”
Oversight
Industry resists proposal for single banking regulator
Senator wants to combine the duties of four agencies into one oversight body.
Oversight
Lawmakers pan plan to skip conference on health bill
Republicans favor open negotiations that members of the public could watch on television.
Oversight
Dissension, poor communications found at federal nuclear site
Energy inspector general says problems at Savannah River Site could undermine public confidence.
Oversight