Oversight

Acquisition workforce looms large at initial stimulus meeting

Complying with the recovery act’s requirements with existing procurement staff will be difficult but doable, officials say.

Defense

DHS chief open to expanding collective bargaining rights

Janet Napolitano says she is looking into her legal authority to let TSA employees negotiate with management.

Oversight

CBO projects deficits as high as $11.5 trillion over decade

Projection takes into account policies similar to those expected in president's budget blueprint.

Oversight

Contractor association pushes for stimulus ‘tiger teams’

Collaborative rapid review and response teams would be designed to allocate resources efficiently.

Oversight

Senate approves Solis as Labor secretary

Confirmation had been delayed partly because of GOP concerns about her pro-union positions.

Oversight

Bill aims to rein in bloated Defense contracts

Legislation would require reexamination of all Defense contracts more than 25 percent over budget.

Oversight

Senate majority leader sees action on omnibus by March 6 deadline

The House is expected to take up the package on Wednesday.

Defense

Marine commander says Iraq pullout in 16 months is 'doable'

Maj. Gen. John Kelly says he believes the Iraqis are committed to settling disputes through the political process rather than violence.

Oversight

House omnibus totals more than $400 billion

Package could be considered by the House as soon as Wednesday and includes the nine spending bills Congress has not approved.

Oversight

Obama calls summit a good first step

Washington decisionmakers spent hours on Monday discussing a range of issues, including procurement and the budget process.

Defense

Immigration leadership takes shape at Homeland Security

President taps veteran prosecutor John Morton to lead ICE; Napolitano selects long-time immigrant advocate Esther Olavarria for policy post.

Oversight

Whose Downturn?

If the economy hasn’t improved by next year, the public will start to blame Obama rather than Bush.

Oversight

Obama promises a gimmick-free spending plan

President says he will cut the estimated $1.3 trillion deficit in half in four years by raising taxes on the wealthy and reducing spending on the Iraq war.

Oversight

Vilsack says USDA must sharpen focus on civil rights

Department will hire a consulting firm to work with agency offices to make sure procedures are fair to minorities and women.

Oversight

Watchdogs applaud Obama’s pick to oversee stimulus

Interior IG Earl Devaney will lead a recovery board with an $84 million budget.

Defense

IG: Energy cannot account for nuclear materials at 15 locations

Eight years after an audit showed record-keeping deficiencies, the department has not implemented critical reforms.

Oversight

Focus on spending, budget returns

Congress must either pass the omnibus or approve another continuing resolution to keep much of the federal government going after March 6.

Oversight

Congressional Research Service veteran steps down

Relyea was a leading authority on government institutions, and advised Congress during debates over the formation of the Homeland Security Department.

Oversight

Progress mixed on naming officials to oversee stimulus spending

OMB asked agencies to designate a point person by Feb. 13, but some missed the deadline.

Defense

Authorization and chemical security bills top panel agendas

Aides are trying to avoid the turf battles that have hampered previous efforts to pass legislation.