Defense

More records behind no-bid contract sought by House committee

Oversight committee continues to probe $39 million no-bid contract Homeland Security awarded for electricity grid in New York City.

Defense

Speaker calls for review of Air Force tanker contract

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., joined an increasing number of lawmakers expressing concern over contract.

Oversight

The Democrats' Advantages

The Democrats have money and history on their side going into the general election.

Defense

Clinton supports bill to ban use of State Department private security contractors

Democratic presidential hopeful wants diplomatic security in Iraq and Afghanistan handled by federal personnel.

Oversight

OMB chief threatens vetoes before Dem budgets unveiled

House and Senate committees plan to mark up the fiscal 2009 budget resolution this week.

Defense

Congressman weighs options to undo refueling tanker contract

California Republican may use fiscal 2009 defense authorization bill to overturn Air Force decision to award multi-billion contract to Northrop Grumman and EADS.

Defense

Federal coordinator for Gulf Coast recovery to step down

Donald Powell pushed for accountability and efficiency in rebuilding effort.

Oversight

Inspector general says defective parts finding way onto aircraft

Study points to several instances -- including four engine failures in fiscal 2003 -- where faulty parts caused problems.

Oversight

OPM sets new funding mechanism for executive boards

Agency also issues more than 100 goals for improving hiring and benefits processes.

Oversight

Social Security chief calls eliminating backlog a ‘moral imperative’

Commissioner cites hiring more judges, congressional budget approval as key to reducing disability hearings backlog.

Oversight

Next generation air traffic system aimed at cutting cost, pollution

Program will benefit both industry and environment, say experts.

Oversight

Senators clash with NASA chief on speed of space transition

Administrator tells panel that U.S. plans to spend about $2 billion under a contract with Russia to provide transport to space station through 2012.

Oversight

Subcommittee grills PTO director on patent backlog, morale

By late 2007, more than 760,000 applications were waiting to be reviewed; hiring restrictions have left agency understaffed.

Defense

High energy demands are compromising military operations, science board finds

Dependence on ‘fragile’ electric grid jeopardizes homeland defense, critical infrastructure.

Oversight

Contractors, administration officials voice concerns about contracting bills

Legislators told reform measures could have unintended consequences.

Defense

Appropriators skewer Army over contracting abuse

Senators also question officials on recruiting, care for soldiers and families.

Defense

House panel probes quality of Army recruits

Lawmakers say administration's reliance on supplemental funding makes recruiting more difficult.

Oversight

Panel prepares to move bill to bolster False Claims Act

Move would have significant effect on federal contractors, whistleblowers and trial lawyers.

Oversight

TSA extends whistleblower protections

Unions say agreement with Merit Systems Protection Board doesn’t go far enough.

Oversight

House panel weighs contracting reform legislation

Bills would create a performance database, require disclosure of executive compensation and bar firms with delinquent tax bills.