Oversight

Jury deliberates in Safavian case

Trial ends without attorneys for former top Bush administration procurement official calling any witnesses to the stand.

Oversight

From Nexgov.com: AT&T to offer secure Internet connections under federal telecom contract

GSA announced AT&T has been awarded the first such contract via the Networx Universal telecommunications program.

Oversight

Obama’s pick for Education secretary garners widespread praise

Arne Duncan is admired for his willingness to undertake tough reforms and for his ability to work with teachers unions.

Oversight

Center of Power

Senate Democrats won’t be able to overcome filibusters without the help of their middle-of-the-road colleagues.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: HHS head calls for voluntary e-health privacy guidelines

Leavitt says government mandates for guarding private medical information in personal electronic records could stymie the adoption of e-health record systems nationwide.

Defense

Budget analyst: Recent funding approach masks true costs of war

Use of supplemental budget requests makes congressional oversight more difficult, report says.

Oversight

Holder hearing, bailout might spoil bipartisan start in '09

Aides expect the Senate to expedite stimulus package, most Cabinet nominations and legislation to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Oversight

Obama's HUD nominee draws praise from all sides

Advocacy groups, legislators welcome Shaun Donovan.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: OMB enhances investment tracking tool, but criticisms linger

Web site allows the public to monitor technology initiatives, but doesn’t provide details on why some projects end up on watch lists.

Oversight

Future of Obama's Web communications debated

The Presidential Records Act could cause a shift in the president-elect's online strategy.

Oversight

White House suggests it might use TARP funds for auto makers

The Bush administration is motivated by fear that a bankruptcy filing by at least one of the Big Three could reverberate throughout the economy.

Oversight

Self-reporting rule for contractors takes effect

Companies now must disclose certain violations to inspectors general.

Oversight

Former patent officials say backlog should become a top priority

The Patent and Trademark Office has 700,000 applications in need of processing, not including those currently being reviewed.

Oversight

GOP fires salvos over attorney general nomination, January hearing

Republican senators fault Judiciary Committee leader for moving quickly on hearing, despite a request from the panel's ranking member for more time to review background documents.

Oversight

House oversight panel gets new leadership

Rep. Edolphus Towns named chairman of government reform committee; Rep. Darrell Issa selected ranking member.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Advice for Obama's chief technology officer

Former tech czar Lorentz offers his insights .

Defense

Senators hear security warnings about labs, bio-weapons

Report concludes that an attack using a biological pathogen is more likely than one using a nuclear weapon.

Oversight

Energy Department could gain clout under Obama presidency

New administration could meet many renewable energy goals by funding existing department initiatives, observers say.

Defense

Murtha targets military bonuses for fiscal 2010 cuts

Defense appropriations subcommittee chairman says bonuses are one area that could produce savings as forces are drawn down in Iraq.

Oversight

Senate removes pay roadblock for Clinton move to State

The position's salary was decreased to adhere to rule barring lawmakers from taking government jobs for which the pay was raised during their current term in office.