Defense

Lawmaker calls on DHS to prove electronic border fence works

House chairman says contractor shouldn’t be paid if project doesn’t deliver on promises.

Oversight

Dems seek to put onus on GOP with new spending package

Strategy is designed to make it as painful as possible for House Republicans to oppose $520 billion omnibus measure.

Oversight

Pressure from Congress on FCC spurs changes at agency

The agency says it will begin publicly disclosing regulatory proposals that are reviewed by its five regulators.

Oversight

White House, Democratic leaders begin budget talks

Appropriations committees plunge ahead on massive omnibus spending bill for consideration next week.

Defense

Spending bills deadlocked, no compromise on horizon

Subcommittees are working to hammer out deals on a bill-by-bill basis.

Defense

VA Secretary nominee gets favorable Senate hearing

Retired Lt. Gen. James Peake says he will fight for needed money for health care if confirmed.

Oversight

OMB spells out best practices for incentive contracts

Procurement administrator encourages agencies to conduct risk and cost-benefit analyses, define performance metrics.

Defense

Army facility wins national quality award

Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center becomes first federal agency to receive prestigious Malcolm Baldrige award.

Defense

Democrats drafting massive budget package

Spending measure could total $520 billion for 15 agencies; effort is designed to end budget stalemate.

Oversight

GAO validates use of no-cost contract

Maryland contractor offered federal agencies free event planning services in exchange for ability to collect registration, sponsorship fees.

Defense

Telecom immunity is not only spying concern

Some observers say the most critical question is who ultimately authorizes the overarching spying program.

Oversight

Group rips cash-strapped Forest Service for purchasing Tasers

Agency bought $600,000 worth of Tasers with no training program or written explanation for why it needed them.

Oversight

Six agencies win performance awards

Health and Human Services honored for agencywide performance and innovation.

Oversight

Park revitalization program might suffer in budget battle

Senate version of appropriations measure contains $88 million less in parks funding than $2 billion approved by House.

Defense

Former senator decries DHS as 'mess,' urges reorganization

Warren Rudman cites emergency management and port security as key examples of the department's failures.

Oversight

It's the Economy, Maybe

Will the 2008 election focus on national security and terrorism give way to a greater concern over the economy?

Oversight

Tech problems hamper drug agency, report says

FDA Science Board Advisory Committee calls IT issues at agency "problematic" and potentially "dangerous."

Oversight

Office of Special Counsel sees progress in Hatch Act probe

A team is reviewing thousands of documents and has begun interviewing officials at smaller agencies.

Oversight

Bush demands vote on Defense funding

President opposes legislation backed by Democratic leaders that would offer a schedule for withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Defense

Forward Observer: Military's Anguish

The stage is set for our armed services to relive the worst days of the 1970s.