Oversight
Talking Points
Campaign committees are increasingly weighing in on policy issues as well as elections.
Defense
Army readies draft of modernization plan
The service is on track to complete by Labor Day a proposal for updating its fighting forces.
Oversight
Appropriators, Obama agree on program terminations
Lawmakers plan to ax 11 of 48 discretionary, nonmilitary programs targeted for elimination by the president.
Defense
Pentagon Web site redesigned to appeal to younger audience
Makeover highlights social media tools, aims to draw in more 18 to 24 year olds.
Oversight
Registration for stimulus money recipients starts on Aug. 17
Online sign up marks the first step toward full spending reports, due in early October.
Defense
Obama submits plan to pay for troops
The $1 billion needed to pay for additional soldiers would come from lower-priority requirements.
Defense
Customs reauthorization bill picking up support
Senate Finance Committee has been working on a measure since 2006.
Oversight
CBO: Federal Executive Boards would need more money under legislative proposal
Senate bill would replace current funding stream of voluntary contributions from participating agencies with an annual budget.
Oversight
Funding fight sparks debate on Peace Corps' future
Organization's size, scope and mission are at heart of discussion.
Defense
Justice sues bulletproof vest manufacturer for false claims
Suit is the latest in a long-running investigation of firms that sold defective gear to military and law enforcement agencies.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: VA likely to miss deadline to process education benefits claims
Backlog of 200,000 claims await processors, but some universities and colleges will allow veterans who have unpaid tuition and housing bills to remain in school.
Oversight
Former procurement chief offers plan for expediting stimulus contracts
Allan Burman says roving teams of performance professionals could help implement ‘sizable’ contracts in a few days.
Oversight
Momentum builds for Postal Service relief
Both chambers of Congress have legislation in the pipeline to ease the agency's financial burden in the short-term by about $2 billion.
Oversight
Overhaul opponents highlight turf battles
Bank regulators oppose proposal to create a new agency overseeing the rule-writing, examination and enforcement of financial products.
Defense
Homeland Security seeks to expedite Gulf Coast recovery through arbitration
Independent panel will resolve outstanding disputes with FEMA over funding for projects spurred by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Defense
Defense says extensive outsourcing on Iraq linguist contract is jacking up costs
Commission on Wartime Contracting questions the use of 18 subcontractors and millions in fees.
Oversight
Answers sought on Minn. flight delay
Lawmakers contact Transportation, FAA officials over plane with 47 passengers that was left on the tarmac for several hours overnight.
Defense
Defense budget portends difficult trade-offs
Analysts say pressure will mount to scale back military service modernization plans.
Defense
Defense audit agency shifts control of California field office to Central Region
Auditors say “unprecedented” move will waste taxpayer dollars and do little to resolve management issues.
Oversight