Oversight
Lawmakers bring different styles to watchdog role
Three legislative watchdogs from varied backgrounds step into new oversight territory.
Oversight
Senate panel sends Labor-HHS, Transportation bills to floor
Committee plans to consider its last spending bill -- the Defense appropriations measure -- in early September.
Oversight
Food safety reform measure passes House by 2-1 margin
Bill requires more government inspections and oversight of food manufacturers and gives the FDA authority to order recalls.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Agencies fail to make information sharing a priority
Intel official tells lawmakers the system for implementing cross-government efforts is broken.
Oversight
SBA points to progress combating abuse of HUBZone program
Administrator Karen Mills testifies the agency has increased site visits and is reforming its process of certifying firms’ eligibility.
Defense
House votes to end F-22 fighter jet production
President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other senior administration officials are pushing to end the program.
Oversight
Postal Service health is still a concern
Lawmakers worry about potential disruption to communities resulting from a switch to five-day delivery and post office closures.
Oversight
Senate clears Energy and Water bill, Agriculture up next
Lawmakers approve amendment that requires competitive bidding on projects funded by the Energy bill, with some exceptions.
Defense
Prospects for homeland security policy bill look better next year
Since its creation in 2003, DHS has never operated under authorization legislation.
Oversight
Analysis: Does Obama's visibility mean greater transparency?
Open government advocates say new media efforts come closer than prime time television appearances to meeting transparency goals.
Oversight
Panel approves hiring reform, expands whistleblower protections
Legislation to streamline employment process and protect whistleblowers sails through Senate committee markup.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Software company won earmarked funds for work on military health records
Defense employee has alleged that Adara Networks received software code in advance of winning sole-source contract.
Oversight
OMB instructs agencies to save $40 billion annually by streamlining acquisitions
Memos include requirements for building in-house capabilities and tracking contractor past performance.
Oversight
McCaskill will wait on Alaska native contracting reform
Democratic senator withdraws amendment to Defense spending bill that would have required ANCs to operate under sole-source caps.
Oversight
Cost of Senate health care bill pegged at $900 billion
Tax on insurance companies would help cover the costs.
Defense
General: Air National Guard needs new fighter jets
Air National Guard's requirements are especially urgent because planes are older and there is no plan to address their early "age-out," official says.
Oversight
Senate subcommittee approves Labor-HHS spending bill
The legislation, scheduled for a full committee markup on Thursday, includes $30.8 billion for the National Institutes of Health.
Defense
Effort to salvage helicopter program draws veto threat
White House "strongly objects" to any funding in the Defense authorization bill that would continue the troubled presidential helicopter program.
Oversight
Lawmakers fight policies limiting conferences in resort destinations
Nevada and Florida senators say such policies unfairly discriminate against locations that may be convenient and cost-effective.
Defense