Oversight
Former public diplomacy official weighs in on his successor at State
James Glassman urges his replacement to get out and talk to key players at other agencies.
Defense
Union challenges decision to outsource hundreds of jobs at West Point
AFGE and New York lawmakers claim the public-private competition was conducted unfairly.
Oversight
House set to work on budget, supplemental next week
Dems will push for conference committee approval of budget resolution followed by consideration of $83.4 billion defense supplemental.
Oversight
Attorney general orders refresher courses for federal prosecutors
Requirement comes in response to the botched prosecution of former Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska.
Oversight
Proposed rule increases oversight of program aiding disadvantaged businesses
Proof of contractors’ eligibility in the HUBZone program would be required under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Oversight
Obama says government spending crucial to reinvigorating economy
President also defends “courageous” Pentagon procurement reforms.
Oversight
Interior seeks public input on new offshore energy plan
Oil and gas development could be expanded, but department wants to boost wind and wave power as well.
Oversight
Watchdog agency calls for 3.5 percent increase in staff
Personnel shortages delayed 21 percent of GAO investigations in fiscal 2008.
Oversight
Cash-strapped Patent and Trademark Office awaits new leadership
Agency faces a backlog of more than 750,000 applications.
Oversight
Report: Congress spent $20 billion on earmarks for fiscal 2009
Alaska led the nation in pork with $322 per capita.
Oversight
Inspector general says IRS must do more to prevent fraudulent refunds
Head of the agency’s criminal investigation division calls IG’s methodology “biased.”
Defense
Lieberman wants U.S.-Mexico border security funding in supplemental
Senator said he will seek an amendment that would add $550 million in border security funds to stop weapons and cash from being smuggled to the drug cartels.
Oversight
USDA secretary fills key posts in department
Janey Thornton, a former school nutrition director in Kentucky, will serve as deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services.
Oversight
Pressure is on agencies to manage stimulus construction funds
Billions of dollars are at stake, but track record in overseeing such projects is decidedly mixed.
Oversight
USDA officials pitch in to help with White House garden
Secretary Tom Vilsack helps in planting, while scientists plan to provide parasite-resistant honey bees for pollination.
Oversight
Some open government advocates question administration’s transparency commitment
Some observers worry the White House won’t follow through on user-friendly news feeds to track stimulus funds.
Oversight
Interior announces first stimulus projects
Initial investments will boost U.S. Geological Survey research on climate and energy challenges.
Oversight
Obama executive order limits contractors' hiring options
A little-noticed directive requires service providers that win follow-on contracts to offer jobs to nonmanagerial employees at the previous company.
Oversight