Oversight
Spending bills ready for floor with auto dealers' provision
Panel sets ground rules for House consideration of Energy and Water and Financial Services appropriations measures.
Oversight
Lawmaker prods Dems on bypassing panel with pay/go bill
House Budget Committee ranking member Paul Ryan, R-Wis., says sending bill straight to the floor "sets a troubling precedent."
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Senate approves E-Verify expansion
Amendment to Homeland Security spending bill allows employers to use electronic verification system for existing employees as well as new hires.
Oversight
IG: Alaska native firms winning a disproportionate share of 8(a) contracts
Small Business Administration watchdog releases a stinging audit days before a Senate hearing on contracting preferences for ANCs.
Defense
Air Force leaders side with Obama on fighter jet funding
Chairman of Armed Services panel expects a close vote on an amendment that would strip the Defense authorization bill of funding for extra planes.
Oversight
Obama reverses Bush-era order on labor agreements
Move clears way for agencies to encourage agreements between construction contractors and workers.
Defense
Report: Industry may be unable to meet military's needs
Group urges Pentagon to consider the impact of security strategies and budgeting and acquisition decisions on the defense industrial base.
Oversight
Stimulus Quandary
Mixed economic indicators have revived talk that another spending boost might be necessary.
Oversight
OMB questions GAO on small biz decisions
Recommendations conflict with SBA rules regarding parity among small disadvantaged businesses, budget chief says.
Oversight
Private sector not necessarily a model for hiring reform
Some practices such as relying primarily on résumés aren’t suitable for the federal government, consultancy says.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Details of Recovery.gov redesign contract revealed
Transparency groups and project management specialists were concerned by the lack of information on the deal, which could be worth up to $18 million.
Defense
Obama vows to veto Senate bill with F-22s
Armed Services panel leaders hope letter from Obama will resonate with their colleagues and generate support for an amendment to strip the bill of funding for fighter jets the administration does not want.
Oversight
Regulatory nominee courts lawmakers, farm groups
Cass Sunstein is working at OMB on an unconfirmed basis.
Oversight
Performance measures should fit agencies’ specific missions, panelists say.
The federal government struggles to evaluate and demonstrate its productivity to the public, according to management observers.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Panel approves record $3.3 billion IT budget for VA, with stipulations
Committee restricts more than $1 billion in system development funds until CIO Roger Baker completes his review of programs.
Defense
House passes bill that increases spending on veterans
Bill typically receives bipartisan support, but this time around Republicans had procedural complaints.
Defense
Senators seek to eliminate 23 senior Pentagon positions
Lawmakers decry 'proliferation' of deputy undersecretaries, say positions should be redesignated with other titles.
Oversight
Pace of stimulus contracting picks up
Private sector Web site finds that federal, state and local governments so far have paid $21 billion to contractors.
Defense
IG: Secure Border Initiative lacks effective oversight
Contractors are performing work that should be done by government employees, auditors find.
Defense