Defense
Senate approves war supplemental, conferees appointed
Action on the bill comes after the Senate Thursday voted 94-1 to cut off debate on the supplemental.
Oversight
Transportation chief thinks stimulus spending has been up to speed
Ray LaHood says his department has been approving stimulus money twice as fast as normal programs.
Oversight
White House launches open government initiative
Administration kicks off Data.gov and proposes new design for Regulations.gov in bid to make government more transparent. Read the full story on Nextgov.com.
Oversight
Small businesses struggling to win Recovery Act contracts
Federal agencies so far have awarded only 10 percent of stimulus contracts to small firms.
Oversight
Obama stands by decision to close Guantanamo
President also defends stance on torture, saying interrogation methods such as waterboarding are not necessary to keep the country safe.
Oversight
Weapons acquisition reform bill heads to White House
Measure focuses heavily on tracking weapons more closely during their early development stages.
Defense
Pentagon may build two different presidential helicopters
One would be for routine trips and the other, for emergency situations.
Oversight
Senate confirms Interior deputy nominee
Resolution of dispute over oil and gas development near Utah's national parks allows full chamber to approve David Hayes by unanimous consent.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Federal CIO plots path to transparency
Vivek Kundra says the power of technology can transform government.
Oversight
Recovery Act coordinator sees signs of progress
G. Edward DeSeve points to significant outlays and obligations of federal funds, rapid job creation.
Defense
Air Force wants to retire aging jets early
Cost savings and 4,000 positions would be redirected to more urgent requirements.
Defense
Army, Navy submit modest wish lists for fiscal 2010 funding
Army's list of so-called unfunded requirements totals $952 million and the Navy's, $395 million.
Defense
Senator begins groundwork for sweeping immigration bill
Chairman of Judiciary subcommittee announces a series of hearings and says he is "cautiously optimistic" about getting legislation passed this year.
Oversight
Lawmakers concerned over gaps in future NASA budgets
The proposed fiscal 2010 budget would give agency a 5 percent boost over current funding, but projects no real increase through 2014.
Defense
Conferees reach deal on Defense acquisition reform bill
Agreement creates positions within the Pentagon, including a director for developmental test and evaluation and a director for systems engineering.
Oversight
Panel lays out roadmap to rebuild acquisition workforce
Procurement experts call for more funding and training, less obsession with compliance.
Oversight
Defense personnel security clearance information is incomplete, GAO says
Pentagon and OPM have reduced processing times, but took four months to vet nearly 40 percent of initial security clearances in fiscal 2008.
Oversight
Agencies plan to issue most stimulus contracts competitively
Fixed-price deals will be prevalent, though wide use of such arrangements is impractical for some departments.
Oversight
Maryland congressman’s background shapes his approach to public service
Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes weighs in on the administration’s attitude toward management reform, and congressional efforts to improve government.
Defense