Defense

Air Force wants accelerated production of strike fighters

Chief of staff says it is "imperative" that the service buy at least 80 F-35s a year -- and as many as 110 annually -- as soon as possible.

Defense

Air Force submits smaller wish list

The modest request indicates that the services are heeding Defense secretary's calls to end the military's backdoor lobbying of Congress to secure money for items not included in the budget.

Oversight

Groups want transparency in the spotlight

OMB Watch has circulated a sign-on letter among transparency groups urging the administration to "open the open government directive process" to the public.

Oversight

Leveling Off

Buoyed by increasing optimism about the economy, President Obama’s approval ratings appear to have reached a high plateau.

Defense

GAO: Defense must make cultural, procedural changes to NSPS

Watchdog agency says moving too quickly on pay-for-performance systems undermines their credibility.

Defense

Officials draft changes to Bush-era mandate on ID cards

Some of the biggest differences between the law and the proposed alternative deal with information-technology requirements.

Oversight

House contracting caucus tackles acquisition workforce issues

Bipartisan group will host first public panel on Tuesday with procurement leaders.

Defense

Panels to review Pentagon budget

Acquisition reform negotiations also are on this week's agenda.

Oversight

Senate panel to probe Alaska native contracting preferences

Oversight subcommittee is collecting data about the business practices of Alaskan firms for a July hearing.

Oversight

States adjust to handle stimulus pressures

With limited resources, procurement officials try to spend funds quickly and efficiently.

Defense

Air Force vows to improve acquisition system

Plan would expand workforce and revise processes to keep programs on time and within budget.

Defense

Witnesses back efforts to make FEMA an independent agency

Emergency management veterans say placing the agency in the Homeland Security Department starved it of resources and decision-making power.

Defense

House passes supplemental war spending bill

Senate is expected to consider the measure on Tuesday and the goal is to complete conference negotiations before the Memorial Day recess.

Defense

Debate erupts over whistleblower rights for intelligence workers

Legal experts disagree on whether a pending bill can protect employee rights and national security simultaneously.

Defense

Navy, Marine request sparks skepticism in House

Lawmakers question the plan to relocate 8,000 Marines from bases in Japan and challenge the fund request for research on shipbuilding programs whose future is in doubt.

Defense

Gates says next-generation bomber might fly without pilot

Top Pentagon officials are emphasizing that the future of aviation rests largely in unmanned aerial vehicle-technology that has been used increasingly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense

Pentagon purchasing bill sails through the House

Plan aims to control cost increases and delays within weapon programs.

Defense

Supplemental to allow new troop deployment to border

DHS chief says the funding could be used to send extra troops to curb border violence.

Oversight

Program Cuts, Agency-by-Agency

A list of federal programs that will lose some or all of their funding in fiscal 2010 if President Obama gets his way.

Oversight

Biden offers rosy outlook in first quarterly stimulus report

Agencies have obligated $88 billion so far, but have paid out less than one third of that.