Defense
From Nextgov.com: Could mobile technology have stopped the state dinner security breach?
Some IT specialists say better communications among security forces could foil attempts to sneak into White House events, but others say nothing will fix human error.
Oversight
Agencies can honor existing ACORN contracts
Justice memo argues Congress was unclear on whether spending ban applies to pre-existing agreements.
Oversight
CBO: Nongroup premiums will rise under health care bill
Congressional budget office predicts the measure would increase average nongroup premiums 10 percent to 13 percent by 2016 above what they would be if current law remained in place.
Defense
Obama contacts Hill about Afghan decision
At least 31 members from both parties and chambers have been invited to a meeting with the president before his address to the nation on Tuesday night.
Defense
White House breach raises questions about Secret Service pay and oversight
Homeland Security requested money for more staff in its fiscal 2010 budget.
Oversight
Watchdog finds ‘pervasive deficiencies’ in Medicare contract management
Office responsible for the health insurance program has failed to implement past recommendations to reduce risk in contracts, GAO says.
Oversight
Interior details onshore oil and gas lease sales for 2010
Sales to include parcels in National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska after a two-year hiatus.
Oversight
Pentagon pay plan's demise could pave way for broad reforms
Mandate to build a new Defense performance management system creates an opening for governmentwide changes.
Oversight
OPM extends direct hire authority for acquisition jobs
Rule could help recruit the talented acquisition workforce necessary for insourcing efforts, observers say.
Oversight
Obama executive order targets payment errors
Mandate focuses on transparency, accountability and incentives to report improperly issued funds.
Oversight
Cleaning House
Dealing with ethics problems will be a tough task for House Democrats in 2010.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Better reporting technology an unexpected byproduct of stimulus
Forced to invent ways to quickly track how they spend recovery funds, states might have stumbled on the future of information sharing among governments and contractors.
Oversight
GSA is evicting labor officials from federal building in Chicago
Agency believed office was vacant, but union official alleges retribution for filing complaints.
Oversight
Postal Service employees will receive pay raise in December
Agency’s financial woes have no effect on 2006 union agreement, officials say.
Oversight
Senate confirms procurement policy chief
Daniel Gordon will make strengthening the acquisition workforce a top priority.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Watchdog notes scheduling issues with visitor-tracking project
Homeland Security is operating the exit portion of the project off multiple, uncoordinated timelines, GAO says.
Defense
GAO: Defense lost track of 72,000 combat medical records
Missing post-deployment health questionnaires help identify issues that emerge over time.
Oversight
Grassley: Nominees are lax on compliance
Many of the president's nominees have had tax troubles.
Defense
Navy: Newest carrier will be ready in 2015
Construction of the carrier and the ship's systems will cost $8.7 billion.
Oversight