Oversight

Obama creates labor-management council

The executive order does not include expanded bargaining power favored by unions.

Defense

Expanding mission of State’s Diplomatic Security Bureau concerns lawmakers, GAO

With bigger role and more dangerous posts, security service struggles to balance reliance on contractors.

Oversight

Panel unveils deficit commission bill

Legislation would establish an 18-member bipartisan commission to make recommendations to Congress on how to cut the deficit.

Defense

Commander says surge can be done quickly

Air Force Gen. Duncan McNabb says the military successfully moved almost the same number of personnel into the country this year.

Oversight

Conferees approve first part of year-end spending package

Omnibus contains six unfinished appropriations bills; second measure will address Defense spending.

Oversight

Open government directive sets tight deadlines

Agencies must deliver on several initiatives in key Obama administration effort.

Oversight

SBA braces for flood of feedback on 8(a) rule changes

About 200 people are expected to attend Washington meetings on a proposal that would change requirements for Alaska native firms and others.

Oversight

Indian trust fund lawsuit settlement proposed

Deal would set up a $2 billion fund to consolidate tribal and individual lands which may have hundreds of owners with fractional ownership interests.

Oversight

GOP senators: $7 billion wasted in stimulus

Sen. John McCain blames insufficient provisions for oversight, cost control and competition.

Oversight

House may move soon on first of two omnibus measures

Package is expected to be attached to Transportation-HUD spending legislation and to include five other non-defense appropriations bills.

Oversight

A Loyal Following

Obama’s backers are dogged in their support of him.

Oversight

Proposal to beef up OPM role in health care met with skepticism

Some fear that expanding agency’s portfolio could adversely affect federal employees’ coverage.

Defense

Marines will be first to deploy to Afghanistan

Approximately 1,500 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., will deploy in December.

Oversight

Democratic rhetoric shifts on health plan

Latest proposal is modeled after the federal employee health benefits program.

Oversight

Energy IG issues management alert over weatherization program

Lax controls and poor oversight jeopardize effectiveness of $5 billion stimulus program.

Oversight

Administration announces finalists in cost-cutting contest

Four proposals to boost efficiency make the last round; President Obama will include the winning idea in his fiscal 2011 budget.

Oversight

Managers are unsure government can handle expanded health care role

Survey respondents expect legislation will mean increased responsibility, but aren’t confident federal agencies are up to the challenge.

Defense

Forward Observer: Back To Tit For Tat

Al-Qaeda and the Taliban will respond sooner or later to Obama's surge, much like the Vietcong did during the escalation of the Vietnam War.

Oversight

Audit unit says it helped GSA save hundreds of millions of dollars

Implementation of the economic stimulus package is among the challenges the IG addressed from April to September.

Defense

Agencies join forces to stop arms trafficking to Mexico

ATF and ICE are putting aside their differences and pursuing a coordinated strategy to stem the flow of guns and drugs across the border.