Oversight
House bill creates VA ombudsman's office
Subcommittee approves legislation to create a one-stop shop for information on VA medical, housing and education benefits.
Defense
Gates offers Bush new Air Force leadership team
Gen. Norton Schwartz, a 35-year veteran with a background in Air Force special operations, is Defense secretary's pick as chief of staff.
Oversight
Storms test GSA’s continuity plans
Power outage at Northern Virginia facility allows agency to launch notification system and telework arrangements.
Oversight
From Nextgov.com: Business picking up for GSA’s Networx contract
After slow start, interest increases in telecom pact as deadline for agencies to recoup transition costs approaches.
Oversight
Watchdog groups seek deal on whistleblower protections
Legislation is among several government accountability bills that have passed easily in both chambers but which lawmakers have struggled for months to reconcile.
Oversight
Trade group lobbies to loosen requirements for disadvantaged business status
Aerospace Industries Association says net worth limit is restrictive and outpaced by inflation.
Oversight
Collaborative Internet tools making inroads into intel agencies
Problems and skepticism still abound, but continued information sharing should win over doubters, says ODNI official.
Oversight
Officials: Government’s finances still are not in order, despite progress
Financial overseers say agencies have improved money management, but have a long way to go.
Oversight
House narrowly approves budget over Republican protests
Measure includes $1.013 trillion in discretionary spending to be doled out among the 12 annual appropriations bills; projects a $340 billion deficit in fiscal 2009.
Defense
Lawmaker seeks to require military to buy U.S.-bred bomb-sniffing dogs
Most military dogs now come from fabled European bloodlines.
Oversight
Obama, McCain give boost to contract data legislation
Presidential rivals team up to back bill increasing information available through USASpending.gov.
Oversight
Senate passes fiscal 2009 budget resolution along party lines
Measure would cap discretionary spending at $1.013 trillion, $21 billion more than President Bush requested.
Oversight
House passes SES diversity legislation
Bill creates an office within OPM that will collect data about senior executives.
Oversight
Critics want panel to more closely scrutinize DHS E-Verify initiative
Department has not asked advisory committee to report on program enabling employers to electronically verify the legal status of newly hired workers.
Oversight
Report: Justice collects more fines but funding stays flat
Inspector general has recovered $4.7 million in fines and restitutions since October, despite a relatively level budget and staff size.
Defense
Senator wants post created to curb rising weapons costs
Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he would model the position on the Pentagon's director of operational test and evaluation, who oversees tests for major acquisition programs.
Oversight
Senate could vote soon on budget resolution
Vote could come as early as Wednesday, says Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D.
Defense
State Department taps Foreign Service veteran to be acting IG
Harold Geisel served as acting IG in 1994 and also has held other senior management jobs at the department.
Oversight
Gearing Up
Democrats must be prepared to trot out Plan B, which hinges on the distinct possibility that Florida will slip out of reach again.
Oversight