Oversight
Democrat proposes raising net worth cap for minority small business program
Bill would increase the ceiling for participation in the 8(a) program from $750,000 to $978,722.
Defense
GAO upholds protests of Army truck pact
Watchdog says the service should re-evaluate three proposals for the five-year deal, whose price tag could reach $3 billion.
Oversight
Senate sends omnibus spending measure to Obama's desk
Package contains six appropriations bills that Congress ran out of time to pass individually.
Defense
Appropriators give lifeline to helicopter program
Additional funding could keep the VH-71 alive and its workforce largely intact as the Pentagon reviews plans for fielding a new presidential helicopter.
Oversight
House passes massive financial regulatory overhaul
The legislation creates a new consumer protection agency to guard against abusive and unfair home mortgages, credit cards and auto loans.
Oversight
House leaders insist on statutory pay/go
Dems want to add to the fiscal 2010 spending package legislation that requires offsets for any tax and mandatory spending bills that increase the deficit.
Oversight
Veterans to receive priority in VA contract awards
Final rule creates set-aside program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Oversight
Fund proposed for female farmers in USDA bias cases
Bill creating a $4.6 billion compensation fund may mark beginning of multibillion-dollar congressional effort to settle discrimination suits.
Oversight
Senate leader files cloture on spending bill with 2 percent pay raise
Vote on the nearly $450 billion fiscal 2010 spending omnibus package is scheduled for Sunday.
Defense
Budget crunch could force fee hikes at immigration agency
Immigration reforms sought by administration could expand agency’s workload in 2010.
Oversight
Spending bills will top Senate agenda, likely through weekend
Senate will spend the weekend working through an omnibus appropriations bill and will return to the health debate next week.
Oversight
House approves federal pay raise; sends omnibus to Senate
The package includes six fiscal 2010 appropriations bills and a 2 percent pay raise for civilian employees.
Oversight
GAO finds confusion among recipients of stimulus transportation funds
Watchdog says state agencies used different methodologies to report jobs data.
Oversight
Senate majority leader offers a way to avoid weekend work on appropriations
Harry Reid, D-Nev., wants to move off healthcare reform early next week and take up the nearly $450 billion fiscal 2010 spending package.
Defense
President requests review of policy on condolence letters
Families of service members who commit suicide are lobbying the White House to overturn a policy preventing the president from sending them condolence letters.
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