Defense
Lawmaker lays down markers on fiscal 2010 shipbuilding budget
Mississippi Democrat says Navy should abandon the DDG-1000 next-generation destroyer.
Oversight
Oversight board: Treasury overpaid $78 billion for bank stocks
Official faults former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson for using a uniform standard in pricing stocks across the board, rather than pricing for risk according to each institution.
Oversight
Obama administration orders review of IRS private debt collection program
Officials notify contractors that no option years will be exercised until independent appraisal is completed.
Oversight
Senator seeks amendment to protect whistleblowers
Proposal allows workers to file a complaint with the appropriate agency's inspector general if they believe they have faced retaliation for disclosing waste or mismanagement of stimulus funds.
Oversight
OMB should reassert itself over Pentagon, analysts say
Some say Defense has been calling the shots in recent years, especially with Republican and Democratic lawmakers eager to please the military brass.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Killefer’s resignation seen as setback for federal IT
Technology professionals express disappointment and urge Obama to find a replacement with similar experience inside and outside government.
Defense
Defense outlines change in acquisition strategy
Larger procurement workforce, more competition, on the way, top agency official said.
Oversight
Bipartisan stimulus amendments draw interest in Senate
Lawmakers might propose cutting money for computers at USDA and the Interior Department, as well as funding for HIV screening, wildlife management and NASA.
Defense
Homeland Security panel sets priorities, stirring GOP discontent
Authorization and chemical-plant security bills are on the agenda.
Oversight
New winds blow for whistleblower protection groups
Advocates are more optimistic they will be able to reach a compromise on legislative provisions, now that the Obama administration has taken office.
Oversight
Witness to describe SEC's 'abject failure' in Madoff case
Boston-based investor turned fraud investigator says he tried to alert agency officials to the Ponzi scheme.
Oversight
Omnibus spending bill not likely until after recess
Consideration of the economic stimulus package has delayed the catch-all appropriations bill.
Oversight
Eric Holder confirmed as attorney general
New chief of the Justice Department is a former U.S. attorney and served as deputy attorney general during the Clinton administration.
Oversight
Obama picks New Hampshire senator as Commerce chief
Republican Judd Gregg served four terms in the House and two as New Hampshire's governor before running for the Senate in 1992.
Oversight
Chief performance officer nominee withdraws for tax reasons
Nancy Killefer acknowledges that a snafu over failure to pay unemployment taxes on household help could prove distracting.
Oversight
Into the Void
It’s not too early to look forward to the fight for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.
Oversight
From Nexgov.com: Daschle received speaking fees from groups opposing patient privacy
HHS secretary nominee is tied to groups opposing privacy protections in economic stimulus bill.
Defense
Commission on wartime contracting hears advice from special IG
Recommendations include publishing new regulations for contingency environments and building pools of pre-qualified contracting officers and contractors.
Oversight
Agencies struggle to make connections online
The biggest problem facing most departments isn't the trap of outdated regulations but the failure to attract an audience.
Defense