Oversight
Most panels refrain from launching passport probes
State Department's response to the issue appears to have at least temporarily headed off inquiries from other committees.
Oversight
HHS secretary keeps it real on blog
Michael Leavitt's chatty postings on health care reform, overseas trips are an informal alternative to other Cabinet officials' blogs.
Oversight
OMB announces new cap on executive compensation costs in federal contracts
Fiscal 2008 cap nearly $15,000 higher than last year.
Oversight
Number of bogus IRS e-mails spikes
Security vendor reports a 3,000 percent increase in the number of phishing attempts to trick taxpayers to give up personal information.
Defense
Federal grand jury in special Iraq IG probe hears more witnesses
Investigation remains focused on allegations that Stuart Bowen and his deputy illegally read staff's e-mails.
Defense
Navy chief warns against diversion of destroyer funds
Gary Roughead says using the Navy's DDG-1000 destroyer as a "cash cow" to pay for other ships will affect combat capabilities.
Defense
Airlines, Homeland Security tangle over fingerprint regulations
DHS could issue rule requiring airlines to take fingerprints of most foreigners leaving the U.S. via air as part of national security program.
Oversight
Monumental Incompetence
Florida and its Democratic Party have opted for the political equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Defense
Coast Guard seeks to identify staffing shortfalls, fill gaps
Service needs congressional authorization for requested organizational changes.
Defense
Judge advances anthrax vaccine refusal case
Pentagon must reconsider exonerating two military pilots discharged after resisting inoculations prior to FDA approval.
Oversight
NIH told patients about security breach weeks after incident
Stolen laptop contained personal information of 2,500 patients enrolled in a study.
Oversight
Justice Department grant process gets Waxman's attention
Reports allege the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention awarded noncompetitive grants.
Defense
Passport system breach highlights shortcomings in agency privacy practices
House chairman seeks names of State Department contractors fired for inappropriately accessing presidential candidates’ files.
Oversight
Contract award protests charging conflicts of interest on the rise
As agencies rely more on outside contractors to evaluate bids, GAO sees more complaints about bias.
Oversight
House GOP eager to strip debarment provision from contracting bill
Controversial amendment could prevent some major contractors from earning future government work, critics say.
Oversight
Independent panel recommends tighter access to radioactive materials
Stricter licensing process would reduce vulnerability to terrorism.
Defense
Navy must start asking Congress for more money, says analyst
The service has been mum on extra funding needs for shipbuilding; inaccurate cost estimates are undermining credibility with lawmakers.
Oversight
Despite proclamations, earmarks continue
Flood of requests crashed committee's system, extending deadline into next week.
Oversight
Senators urge appropriators to add $350M for science
Money would be added to the upcoming fiscal 2008 war supplemental spending bill.
Oversight