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.
Defense
Louisiana senator endorses FEMA independence
Democrat Mary Landrieu says she is "open" to concept if Obama were to support it.
Oversight
Contractors could face increased oversight on the Hill
Democratic Congress likely to steer focus away from administration and toward those getting the money, procurement specialists say.
Defense
Bush administration prepares Defense budget
Request for fiscal 2010 is expected to exceed $580 billion, and officials might seek an extra $80 billion in emergency funds by January to cover military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Oversight
Treasury official vows to beef up oversight of bailout funds
Neel Kashkari tells lawmakers the department will set up a monitoring program with banking regulators to better track how rescue money is being spent.
Oversight