Defense

From Nextgov.com: Bush nominates Pollett for head of DISA

Congress unlikely to act on pick before its fall recess.

Oversight

Obama reform plan bears traces of Clinton and Bush efforts

Management specialists applaud what appears to be a continued focus on program performance and results.

Oversight

Senior diplomats in short supply

Top State Department official calls shortage of public diplomacy officers “grim” in testimony before Senate panel.

Oversight

Federal managers pessimistic about government performance

Majority expect the presidential transition to hinder progress.

Defense

Homeland Security replaces head of troubled border program

Mark Borkowski, a veteran government manager, will now lead the multibillion-dollar virtual fence project.

Oversight

Postal Service freezes hiring, promotions

Move follows agency's decision last month to offer early retirement to up to 130,000 clerks, mail handlers and supervisors.

Oversight

McCain Stalls

Recent developments on Wall Street will make it harder for John McCain to win in November.

Defense

Air Force to strengthen inspections and expand training for nuclear mission

Service leaders still are weighing a major reorganization recommended by a task force.

Oversight

Ex-FDA lawyer denies industry guided agency priorities

Sheldon Bradshaw, former agency chief counsel, says House Oversight and Government Reform chairman is wrong about FDA preference for pharmaceutical industry.

Oversight

Draft of continuing resolution aims to avoid government shutdown

House Democrats would fund most federal government programs at fiscal 2008 levels until March 6, unless Congress acts before that.

Oversight

Obama pledges to fire managers, cut redundant programs

Democratic nominee issues plan to shift jobs from middle management to front lines, cut contract spending.

Oversight

Treasury plan to create new government entity comes under question

Proposal would set up an organization that would buy troubled assets from financial institutions to prevent them from failing.

Defense

Conference leaders to limit amendments to defense bill

Provision aimed at improving the process of delivering military absentee ballots from overseas appear among those off the table.

Oversight

Agencies urge Congress to act on threat posed by stateless sublike watercraft

Spike in use of vessels by drug cartels creates legal and logistical challenges for Coast Guard.

Oversight

Procurement reform effort hurt by Senate earmarks fight

Democrats dropped a package of Defense authorization bill amendments that included provisions to enhance contract competition and oversight.

Oversight

Lawmakers propose government entity to steady financial sector

Agency could take after the Resolution Trust Corp., created to help with the 1980s savings and loan crisis, or the 1932 Reconstruction Finance Corporation.

Defense

Presidential campaigns urged to prepare for DHS transition

McCain, Obama should name potential Homeland Security appointees before the November election, say witnesses at a congressional hearing.

Oversight

Interior pledges to reform royalty collection program

Inspector general says financial loss to taxpayers is unclear.

Oversight

Non-Cabinet agencies included in formal succession planning process

Executive order instructs executive branch agencies to record who would assume top position in case of death or resignation.

Oversight

Legislative logjam could leave agencies in the lurch

A continuing resolution to fund agencies in the new fiscal year that starts Oct. 1 is on the list of unfinished legislation.