Oversight

House majority leader 'frustrated' by slow pace in Senate

The House has passed all 12 fiscal 2010 spending bills, but few of them have moved through the Senate.

Defense

Critics take aim at pending spending bills

Senate poised to approve Homeland Security appropriations measure, which would provide $42.8 billion in discretionary funds, and excludes two E-Verify provisions.

Oversight

Defense has vested interest in tracking flu

Military commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan brace for a new enemy: the H1N1 virus.

Defense

Army makes progress on plan for next combat vehicle

The service is seeking industry input on what is technologically feasible and affordable before it puts out a request for proposals.

Oversight

Jobs Nightmare

The prospect of the jobless rate hovering around 10 percent leading up to the 2010 midterm election should keep Democrats up at night.

Defense

Senate aide says cybersecurity bill is moving

Legislation to help government and private sector better prepare for and respond to high-tech attacks has real shot at Senate passage this year, according to top staffer.

Oversight

Deputy secretary asserts control over Agriculture budget

Kathleen Merrigan is planning to continue running the USDA budget, despite an organizational revamp.

Oversight

Former Bush official is sentenced to one year in prison

David Safavian was convicted of lying about his relationship with lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Oversight

Park Service finalizes policy limiting snowmobile access in Yellowstone

The rule will be assessed over the next two years to determine the environmental impact of the recreational vehicles.

Oversight

SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission issue oversight recommendations

The report calls on Congress clarify each agency's authority over products exempted by the other.

Oversight

GAO: Debt could break record in 10 years

Report cites health care costs and demographic trends as main contributors.

Defense

Afghanistan is Obama's war now

Facing a host of bad options, Barack Obama is poised to take ownership of a war that will inevitably shadow his presidency.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DHS proposes standards for how the private sector should prepare for disasters

Industry fears the voluntary standards are too rigid and eventually could be made mandatory for companies looking to do business with the government.

Oversight

Senate passes Energy and Water spending bill

Action comes after Sen. Tom Coburn held up the legislation over exclusion of language requiring public disclosure of certain mandatory reports from agencies to Congress.

Defense

Democrats thwart GOP bid to stop Gitmo transfers

Final Homeland Security spending bill allows detainees to be brought to the United States for trial.

Oversight

Staff shortages linked to Defense audit agency problems

DCAA could boost its workforce by as many as 700 employees, but lawmakers remain concerned.

Oversight

Contractors report generating tens of thousands of jobs under stimulus

Winners of federal contracts created or saved one job for every $70,000 received.

Defense

Defense secretary weighs whether to urge veto of authorization bill

Pentagon staff is evaluating if funds allocated for an alternative engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which the administration opposes, is grounds for veto.

Oversight

Senator looks to clear spending deck before healthcare debate starts

Appropriations chairman wants to work on the bills one at a time, as opposed to packaging them in an omnibus.

Oversight

Navy sets ambitious energy goals

Service officials will consider fuel costs of future acquisitions, as well as contractors’ carbon footprint.