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.
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