Oversight
Officials commit to collaborate on performance-based budgeting
Lawmakers, administration say they will weigh the success and failure of federal programs when making funding decisions.
Oversight
House advances on Interior spending bill, including CR
Current government funding extension runs through the end of this week.
Defense
GAO faults effort to counter roadside bombs
Report says "several significant challenges" affect the Pentagon's ability to oversee IED office.
Defense
Federal Protective Service moves out of immigration bureau
FPS will remain in the Homeland Security Department as part of the National Protection and Programs Directorate.
Oversight
Forum participants see ‘urgency’ in hiring reform
House majority leader also calls for overhaul of federal pay system.
Oversight
SBA proposes major revisions to small business contracting program
Changes would affect joint ventures, size and income determinations for potential participants.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: VA will turn to a contractor to reduce backlog of GI educational benefits
Solicitation is the department's latest effort to process what officials call an unprecedented volume of claims.
Oversight
Senators express concern about administration’s contracting guidance
Memos are too light on specifics and lack deadlines to hold agencies accountable for making reforms, lawmakers say.
Oversight
Agencies to expedite electricity transmission permits on federal land
New process aims to speed up grid modernization and spur renewable energy production.
Defense
Senators clash over Homeland Security management nominee
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins says Obama's pick for undersecretary for management at DHS lacks sufficient experience.
Defense
Probe of intelligence notification lapses includes Pelosi's briefings
Investigators will examine whether the CIA misled the House speaker about the use of waterboarding on terrorism suspects.
Oversight
Negotiators agree on plan to fund agencies through mid-December
Stopgap spending measure will be attached to the Interior-Environment appropriations bill and will keep money flowing at fiscal 2009 levels until Dec. 18.
Oversight
Unions express concern over new draft of labor-management order
Proposal backs away from requiring agencies to bargain over broader set of work rules.
Oversight
OMB calls for 5 percent growth in civilian acquisition workforce
Administration also addresses ways to reduce risky contract types and increase competition.
Defense
FEMA is unable to measure funding benefits
Agency official says billions spent on homeland security since 2002 have made country safer, but admits FEMA has no way to definitively assess the improvement.
Defense
Official: Hill was not informed of other intelligence activities
Senior administration official does not disclose specific instances, but agrees that the process for congressional notification needs to be improved.
Defense
West Point privatization plan expected to be canceled
Move follows GAO ruling citing flaws in how the Army reached a decision to outsource public works jobs.
Oversight
Intensity Matters
In a midterm election in which turnout is inherently lower than in presidential years, the most-motivated voters carry a disproportionate advantage.
Defense
Administration replaces beleaguered director of Defense agency
April Stephenson, head of the Defense Contract Audit Agency, has been reassigned to the Pentagon comptroller’s office.
Oversight