Defense
Major defense contractor moves headquarters to DC region
Northrop Grumman will open its new corporate office in the capital area by summer 2011.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Web application gives air travelers chance to rate airport security procedures
The Transportation Security Administration, which has not endorsed the real-time survey , has not responded to an offer to receive the polling results.
Oversight
Deputy director begins work at OPM
Christine Griffin was confirmed five months ago, but starts this week; former EEOC commissioner to lead diversity efforts.
Oversight
Panels set hearings, key Homeland Security posts still vacant
Bombing plot hearings to begin Jan. 20; Senate still needs to consider nominees for three top DHS jobs.
Oversight
Informal negotiations on health bill are likely instead of conference
Aide cites threat of procedural obstacles in leadership's decision to bypass formal conference committee to hammer legislative differences.
Defense
Iraqi government plans to file suit against Blackwater guards
U.S. judge dismissed charges last week against five private security contractors involved in a deadly 2007 shooting in Baghdad.
Oversight
In final action of year, Senate OKs debt ceiling hike
The short-term $290 billion increase will allow the government to do business past Jan. 1, according to the Treasury Department.
Defense
Federal role in transit rail safety debated
Under current law, the Federal Transit Administration is prohibited from directly regulating the nation's public transit systems.
Oversight
Administration alters stimulus job counting formula
OMB instructs recipients to count any position funded with Recovery Act dollars as a job saved.
Oversight
From Nextgov: Education, IRS try to make filing student aid form less daunting
The Education Department plans to allow certain students applying for aid to instantly transfer their tax data from an IRS database to the Web version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Oversight
Head of Foreign Agricultural Service reassigned
Michael Michener had come under fire for focusing on Afghanistan projects at the expense of the agency’s traditional roles.
Oversight
EEOC proposes changes to federal discrimination complaint process
Rules include new requirements for agencies, authorize pilot programs.
Oversight
Senate language eases employee fears about OPM and health reform
Groups had recommended that federal employee plan be administered separately.
Oversight
Senate moves up final healthcare overhaul vote
Bill is on track for final passage Thursday.
Oversight
Defense measure aims to improve contractors’ handling of sexual assault cases
Amendment forbids the Pentagon from doing business with companies that prevent alleged assault victims from taking legal action.
Oversight
Change of Fortunes
The Democrats’ hold on the House and Senate appears a lot more tenuous than it did one year ago.
Oversight
Obama set to name cyber coordinator
White House confirms appointment of former Bush administration official Howard Schmidt, assures "regular access to the president."
Oversight
Senate vote sets up health overhaul passage
Democrats hope to get bill to Obama before State of the Union in late January.
Oversight