Oversight
SBA’s Preston to replace Jackson as HUD secretary
President Bush’s decision on nomination came as a surprise because SBA chief's name had not emerged in speculation about who would replace Jackson.
Defense
Military’s homeland defense, civil support plans fall short, auditors find
Northern Command faces unique planning challenges, two new GAO reports show.
Oversight
Dems seek to require electronic storage of agency e-mail
Bill directs National Archives to issue regulations on compliance to agencies within 18 months.
Oversight
Hill, auditors cross-examine officials about new census plan
GAO skeptical that management changes the bureau took after the failure of a handheld computer contract will ensure a well-run 2010 count.
Oversight
House committee approves bill to close contracting loophole
Despite assurances from administration officials that legislative fix is unnecessary, skeptical lawmakers take extra step.
Defense
Cost estimates for Army equipment repair, upgrades go up by billions
GAO projects total expenditures of at least $190 billion from 2004 to 2013.
Oversight
Transportation completes plans to improve airline service
Department would double compensation amount that airlines pay passengers bumped from oversold flights.
Defense
Industry says war has hurt military modernization efforts
Aerospace Industry Association cautions against making defense modernization accounts "a bill payer" for domestic programs.
Oversight
VA in midst of huge project to rewrite regulations in plain language
Skeptics say it will be hard to change VA writing process, and complex rules do not lend themselves to simple prose.
Oversight
House passes bill to prevent tax cheats from winning contracts
Contractors would have to certify they do not owe "seriously delinquent" taxes.
Oversight
OMB sews shut overseas contracting loophole
Proposed rule, based on similar Defense Department regulations, would have exempted companies working overseas from fraud-reporting requirements.
Oversight
Private tax collectors under fire by House appropriators
Legislation aimed at halting IRS debt-collecting program is pending now and has failed in the past.
Oversight
Nine of 16 agencies cut backlogs of FOIA requests
GAO study says inconsistent data makes progress hard to track.
Oversight
The GOP's 'Electile Dysfunction'
Even if Republican voters turn out at normal rates for the election, that might not be enough to win.
Oversight
Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on purchase card requirements
Memo follows report exposing widespread abuse across agencies.
Oversight
EPA is missing in action on major environmental issues, observers charge
The White House is widely perceived by critics to be running roughshod over agency scientists and lawyers on policy.
Oversight
Senate committee passes 'plain English' bill
Measure will require federal agencies to use plain language in commonly used federal forms.
Oversight
House panel to take up bill requiring electronic e-mail storage
The measure, which would apply to all federal agencies, responds to loss of hundreds of days worth of White House e-mails.
Oversight
House committee votes again to prohibit private tax debt collection
Ways and Means renews its commitment to ending IRS program; hopes for more Senate support.
Oversight