Defense

Reports slam Minerals Management Service handling of royalties

GAO says agency did not adjust or ensure the accuracy of royalties collected from oil and gas companies.

Oversight

White House prepares appointee roadmap for next administration

Plan is designed to ensure that 100 key political posts are filled by April 1.

Oversight

Candidates stress need to restore faith in government

Americans would be more inclined toward public service if they were confident federal agencies were effective, McCain and Obama say.

Oversight

House Judiciary chairman slams Appropriations panel over jurisdiction

Spat concerns an NIH mandate requiring federally supported scientists to submit their research manuscripts for free access on the Internet.

Defense

Creation of new appropriations subcommittee ignites Senate turf battle

Panel could have budget authority for all agencies that fall under the national intelligence program.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Senator questions progress on federal spending Web site

Agencies slow in submitting data on grant awards for USASpending.gov, which faces deadlines to post more information.

Defense

Agencies ease bottleneck in processing immigration benefits forms

A boost in staffing and resources has helped chip away at long-pending FBI name checks.

Oversight

Power grid vulnerable to cyberattacks, committee told

Legislation is aimed at giving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission more authority to require compliance with security standards and issue emergency orders.

Oversight

Aviation security is an ever-evolving quest, top official says

Federal Air Marshal Service Director Robert Bray discusses changes and challenges in aviation security since Sept. 11.

Oversight

IRS moves tax processing work back in-house

Agency employees will resume direct management over taxpayer files at seven sites across the country.

Defense

Homeland Security officials defend virtual border fence program

Customs and Border Protection chief tells lawmakers delay is better than hasty implementation.

Defense

House Democrats slam Bush administration for failure to comply with 9/11 act

Homeland Security Committee’s ranking Republican calls the report a “political stunt.”

Oversight

Defense audit agency rapped by senators, whistleblowers

DCAA director testifies to Senate panel that agency’s problems are ‘unacceptable.’

Oversight

NRC to examine radiation treatment program at Veterans Affairs

Discovery of multiple cases of radiation underdosing at VA Medical Center in Philadelphia triggers probe.

Oversight

Budget office projects record $438 billion deficit

Figure could end up rising if the operations of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are included.

Oversight

Senate panel to hear from auditors at troubled Defense agency

Session will focus on allegations that DCAA relies too heavily on arbitrary job performance metrics.

Oversight

Lieberman shunned, oversight panel post in peril

Democrats say they were "disappointed" by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman's speech at the Republican convention.

Defense

Administration threatens veto of Senate defense measure

White House vows to scrap Defense authorization bill if it includes language prohibiting the use of private security contractors for any 'inherently governmental' security functions in combat zones.

Oversight

Plotting an Endgame

Parties race to find winning strategies in two-month dash to Election Day.

Oversight

From Nextgov.com: Army relies on ‘fully loaded’ SUV in hurricane response

During disasters, emergency response vehicle gives Army North access to Defense’s unclassified and classified networks.