Oversight

Both workplace benefits and demands exceed the norm at NRC

Two new IG reports highlight the promise and peril of working for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Oversight

Senate sends Agriculture spending bill to Obama

Chamber will pick up with Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations on Tuesday.

Oversight

New USDA research agency already wants more money

Observers worry that without adequate funding, the institute will get bogged down in battles over grants and congressional earmarks.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: VA looks to Web 2.0 technologies to improve management

Electronic health records initiative and social networking sites are among the projects under way.

Defense

Defense policy bill has major implications for contractors

Legislation extends ban on public-private job competitions and limits award fees for negligent contractors.

Defense

House approves agreement on Pentagon pay-for-performance, sick leave benefit

Senate now will consider conference report on fiscal 2010 Defense authorization.

Oversight

McCain rebuffed on PBS construction funds

Amendment would have cut $20 million in funding for the Public Telecommunications Facilities Planning and Construction program.

Oversight

Panel debates future of Fannie, Freddie

Disagreement swirls over whether the home financing giants' role of stabilizing and stimulating the mortgage market can be privatized.

Oversight

Deficit triples in fiscal 2009, reaches 10 percent of GDP

Congressional Budget Office says figure is the highest shortfall, relative to the size of the economy, since 1945.

Oversight

Cost of 2010 census remains elusive, officials tell panel

Most recent cost estimate is $14.7 billion.

Defense

Congress moves to repeal Pentagon pay-for-performance system

Conference agreement also gives Defense secretary ability to propose new personnel flexibilities.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Intelligence e-mail shut down prompts concerns about other collaboration tools

Intelligence office assures users that it will replace the system with a more secure one, and other social networking tools will continue to operate.

Defense

Authorizers agree to end F-22 program

The $680 billion Defense authorization bill is expected to pass both chambers and move to President Obama's desk in the next several days.

Oversight

Obama administration launches program evaluation effort

Office of Management and Budget lays out new assessment principles and offers financial incentives for agencies that go the extra mile.

Defense

Senate again rejects C-17 cut, approves spending bill

House and Senate appropriators already have been working quietly for weeks to resolve differences in the two chambers' versions of the defense bill.

Oversight

Experts say policy 'czars' fall within presidential authority

Analysts agree Obama's use of White House czars does not represent an abuse of power as long as they do not attempt to give orders to agency heads or issue regulations.

Defense

DHS announces immigration detention reforms

Immigration and Customs Enforcement will centralize and review all detention contracts.

Oversight

Agencies surpass Recovery Act small business contracting goals

More than 25 percent of all stimulus contract dollars has gone to small firms, but agencies are making uneven contributions.

Oversight

Agencies avoid flexibilities in firing poor performers

Managers put off by technicalities and paperwork under personnel reforms, MSPB survey says.

Defense

Key authorizers back second F-35 engine

House-Senate agreement on the fighter jet engine could provoke the Obama administration to follow through on a veto threat.