Defense
Senior official calls DDG-1000 destroyer deal good for taxpayers
Previous plan to split construction of three DDG-1000s between two shipyards would have been "horribly inefficient," Defense acquisition chief says.
Oversight
Obama's USDA picks might signal revamped priorities
Nominations indicate that nutrition and agricultural research will become more of a focus.
Defense
Immigration adviser faces learning curve
Aide says she is spending a lot of time out in the field touring detention facilities and learning the strengths of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Oversight
Lawmakers get back to work on fiscal 2010 budget blueprint
Congress also will look into the Obama administration's $83.4 billion war supplemental request.
Oversight
Obama names Washington businessman as chief performance officer
President says he will ask agency leaders next week for specific proposals on trimming their budgets.
Oversight
Report questions ballooning use of cost-plus contracts
Value of projects awarded under the risky arrangement has nearly doubled in the past eight years.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Groups wrangle over public access to subsidized health care data
The records of physician claims paid by Medicare are not available to the public, but that could change under an administration pushing for greater transparency .
Defense
Gates warns against big cuts in future spending
Defense chief says Pentagon needs annual budgets that allow the military to battle a range of threats.
Oversight
Contractors get another reprieve from E-Verify rule
The rule was to take effect in February, but the Obama administration has delayed implementation until June 30.
Oversight
Reconciliation seen as main hurdle for conference talks
While the Senate resolution does not include reconciliation instructions, the House resolution has them for healthcare reform and education legislation.
Defense
Defense chief to tap Army modernization funds for new vehicle program
Gates will request "substantial money" for the program as part of the fiscal 2010 budget.
Oversight
Intelligence panels to probe NSA domestic monitoring activities
Newspaper report says agency went overboard collecting private e-mails and phone calls.
Defense
Congress returns to nominations, finance, water bill
Supplemental defense spending request and conference version of the fiscal 2010 budget resolution also are on the agenda.
Oversight
Private sector zips past government in Recovery Act tracking
One company already has built a Web site it claims tracks all federal, state and local stimulus spending.
Defense
Gates takes reform agenda to military officers
The Pentagon bureaucracy has marginalized the needs of troops and their families, Defense secretary tells future leaders.
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