Oversight
Nuclear agency sets pace in hiring
Nuclear Regulatory Commission has become a model for agencies concerned about quickly replacing retiring workers.
Oversight
White House sidesteps question on veto of continuing resolution
Administration urges lawmakers to pass fiscal 2009 appropriations bills instead of relying on a stopgap measure.
Defense
House Democrats press FBI on 2001 anthrax attacks, security guidelines
Lawmakers also questioned whether the agency failed to help prevent the nation's mortgage crisis.
Oversight
Democrats and Republicans voice different views on government
Convention rhetoric draws the usual battle lines between the two parties on government’s role, but both McCain and Obama acknowledge its significant impact on the public.
Oversight
IG questions appearance of bias in selection of DHS projects
Report finds no wrongdoing, but concludes that the science and technology directorate lacks a clear system for documenting why certain projects are chosen.
Oversight
McCain pledges to attack bureaucracy, limit government
Republican nominee says his administration would “set a new standard for transparency and accountability.”
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: IRS finds unauthorized Web servers connected to its networks
Unknown servers are passed over for security patches, leaving agency networks open to attack , IG reports.
Oversight
Lawmakers chop up major contracting reform legislation
Provisions are tacked onto broader measures as stand-alone acquisition bills languish in committee.
Oversight
More turmoil roils OSC as top deputy is fired
Special Counsel Scott Bloch last week removed Jim Mitchell, his spokesman and acting chief of staff.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: GAO: More work needed to ensure Census handheld computers work
The bureau must develop performance benchmarks to increase the likelihood the devices will operate as planned.
Oversight
Appropriators foresee tough times if McCain wins White House
GOP standard-bearer has pledged to veto bills that include wasteful earmarks.
Oversight
Gustav response highlights Army’s improvement in disaster communications
The service has turned to mobile command vehicles built from the ground up to coordinate better with first responders in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
Oversight
Trouble, Trouble, Trouble
The new president will face a multitude of problems, but likely will have a hard time accomplishing more than three or four big things in his first term.
Defense
For GOP, a second chance at disaster management
In New Orleans in April, John McCain vowed that the "terrible and disgraceful" response to Katrina "will never, ever again happen."
Oversight
Gustav forces changes to GOP convention
McCain puts focus on federal hurricane response rather than celebration of his nomination.
Oversight
McCain seeks to make leap from maverick to manager
GOP standard-bearer's plans for the federal government are sweeping, but achieving them will require attention to the nitty-gritty.
Defense
No simple answer from McCain on use of force
Throughout his career, the former Navy pilot has been difficult to pigeonhole on the crucial question of when to deploy U.S. forces.
Oversight
Interior set to issue new military support services contract
National Business Center unit will manage the Military One Source pact, expected to be awarded by the end of the year.
Oversight
Obama calls for end of '20th century bureaucracy'
Democratic nominee’s pledge to make federal programs “work better and cost less” echoes effort launched by President Clinton.
Defense