Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Agencies will be expected to measure transparency results
Open government strategies should include metrics based on input from employees, GSA official says.
Defense
Defense chief offers indirect criticism of general
Robert Gates says Afghanistan is on a "worrisome trajectory."
Defense
Panels confront notification, satellite issues
Bill authorizing intelligence programs and funding remains stalled over House-Senate differences in those areas.
Oversight
Survey: Feds beat private sector on vision, lag on management
Managers understand and embrace their agencies’ missions, but organizations lack effective operational practices.
Oversight
Senate bill would protect contractor whistleblowers
New legislation also would apply to employees of state and local governments and nonprofits that receive federal funds.
Defense
Navy chief sets intelligence reorganization
The dramatic changes also will involve creation of a Navy Cyber Command.
Defense
Senate work on Defense bill will spill into next week
Chamber faces a long list of pending amendments that will push the debate into Tuesday.
Oversight
Obama prohibits feds from texting while driving
Executive order bans text messaging while operating government-owned vehicles.
Defense
More troops for Afghanistan might not be possible anytime soon
The Army already is deploying soldiers at the maximum rate, new study concludes.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Homeland Security authorized to hire up to 1,000 cybersecurity specialists
The department doesn’t expect to hire that many, but the authorization will streamline recruitment efforts, said a department official.
Oversight
Watchdog: Stopgap spending measures tie agencies’ hands
Continuing resolutions cost agencies money and time and limit managers’ decision-making abilities.
Oversight
Transportation chief defends stimulus spending efforts
Ray LaHood says agency's component of the Recovery Act has provided a huge boost for construction jobs.
Defense
Border fence, detainee issues dominate debate
Final Homeland Security spending bill likely will not include funding for physical fencing along the Southwest border, but is expected to include language regarding the transfer of Guantanamo detainees to the United States.
Defense
Senate breaks with Obama, favors buying more C-17s
The White House strongly opposes the addition of the cargo planes, but has stopped short of threatening a veto over the program.
Oversight
Obama signs bill to keep agencies running
Continuing resolution gives Congress an extra month to pass individual appropriations measures.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Homeland Security kicks off final strategy dialogue
Comments and suggestions submitted through a Web portal will be incorporated into a report due to Congress by the end of the year.
Oversight
VA to continue work on energy efficiency
Health care facilities prove especially challenging for reducing energy consumption.
Defense
Senators clash over C-17 funding
Administration argues the military does not need more of the cargo planes, but the program employs 30,000 people in 43 states, making cuts politically difficult.
Oversight
Senator urges caution in consolidating contracting databases
Procurement officials must be sure to consider the end user of the streamlined database and build in adequate oversight, panel chairwoman says.
Oversight