Oversight

House leads push to strengthen small business contracting

Procurement legislation passes as Senate Small Business Committee leaders work on their own measure.

Oversight

Bush nominates former North Dakota governor as Agriculture secretary

Edward Schafer will replace Mike Johanns, who resigned last month to launch a Senate bid.

Oversight

Bush says he will veto 'three-bill pileup'

President repeats his demand that Congress pass a "clean" Military Construction-VA Appropriations bill by Veterans Day.

Oversight

Security contractor group looks beyond Blackwater controversy

Annual conference for security and logistics firms focuses on peace, disaster relief operations.

Defense

Defense remains concerned C-5 aircraft costs may still rise

Contractor has offered to deliver final 108 aircraft for a fixed price, but Air Force officials remain concerned about unanticipated costs the proposal would not cover.

Oversight

Steady Gains

Hillary Clinton has made small but consistent improvements in her general election poll standings.

Oversight

Lawmakers of both parties seek to avoid government shutdown

Democrats and Republicans are worried such a debacle would prove they can’t get their job done at a time when Congress’ approval ratings are already low.

Oversight

White House official explains climate change edits

Explanation comes before deadline to deliver the original testimony to the House Science Committee, which is investigating examples of scientists being censored.

Oversight

Dems aim to pass spending combo by Veterans Day

The timing under consideration would give President Bush only a few days to react to “mini-bus” appropriations bill before stopgap measure expires.

Oversight

Agencies mobilize assistance for wildfire victims

Efforts to disburse aid are running smoothly, but the extent of the need remains to be seen.

Oversight

Foreign affairs panel to probe claims against State IG

Comptroller General David Walker is the only scheduled witness at hearing to examine allegations that the IG blocked investigations.

Defense

GAO sees progress, ongoing problems in DHS cargo program

The department is running the risk of further cost overruns and schedule delays in project to upgrade processing system, watchdog says.

Oversight

Dems ponder sending massive spending measure to Bush

Strategy would put the president in the position of having to veto a $670 billion package that includes Defense spending over $10 billion added for education, health and welfare.

Oversight

Dems rail against editing of climate change testimony

House lawmaker says he will reintroduce a bill intended to prevent political meddling with the assessments of government scientists.

Oversight

Davis formally announces he will not run for Senate

The Virginia lawmaker is the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Defense

Rice pledges improved oversight of security contractors

Hearing coincides with State Department campaign to show it is addressing concerns that it failed to control the conduct of contractors like Blackwater USA in Iraq.

Oversight

Travel policies temporarily loosened in Southern California

GSA revises per diem for food and housing, relaxes regulations on fuel. Wildfire response photo gallery

Oversight

Judiciary panel moves Coast Guard reauthorization bill

Measure would allow more money for the troubled Deepwater modernization project, but would set stricter management requirements.

Defense

Conferees split over language on aerial refueling services

Official says Air Force supports running a study on leasing commercial services, provided there’s no pressure to act before the concept has been fully vetted.

Defense

Officials admit they misjudged difficulty of virtual fence work

The Homeland Security Department program already has been delayed more than four months, prompting concern on Capitol Hill.