Defense
Pentagon asks Congress to drop plan for Afghanistan IG
Defense officials say the office would be redundant and deplete the department’s regular inspector general of needed personnel.
Oversight
Rhetorical firefight escalates over veterans spending
Democrats point out that Congress hasn’t passed a veterans appropriations measure before the end of the fiscal year since fiscal 1997.
Oversight
Romney's Palmetto Problem
The South Carolina primary could be pivotal for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Defense
Changes to Air Force IT contract could benefit new vendors
Proposal would split new version of the contract vehicle into three parts.
Oversight
Bush, GOP criticize Dems for slow progress on spending bills
Sides are locked in a stalemate over Democratic plans to spend about $23 billion more than the $933 billion Bush wants.
Oversight
Senate leader trying to dislodge hold on Interior nominee
Oregon Democrat who placed the hold wants assurances that the agency will take steps to prevent unethical behavior.
Oversight
Senate subcommittee to probe Hatch Act enforcement
Hearing will serve as a reminder that federal officials must steer clear of politics on the job during the 2008 elections.
Oversight
Women’s group requests hearing on SBA program
Advocates claim the agency is deliberately stalling a mandated program to help women-owned companies do more business with the government.
Oversight
Watchdog says IRS unable to readily locate key files
The agency at times takes on added costs to recreate lost files and in some cases burdens taxpayers by requesting additional information during that process, GAO says.
Defense
State Department downplays report of security contractor drawdown
Agency spokeswoman says it’s “premature to speculate” about major policy changes.
Oversight
Administration says deficit at lowest level in five years
President Bush uses the news to call on Congress to exercise fiscal restraint and not raise taxes.
Oversight
GAO cites cost, schedule risks in IT projects supporting census
Three of four technology projects are either behind schedule or over budget, watchdog agency finds.
Oversight
House votes to halt debt collection outsourcing at IRS
Prospects for passage could be tougher in Senate; President Bush has threatened a veto.
Oversight
NRC reviewing application for new uranium recovery facility
The increase in applications expected as interest in nuclear power grows poses a serious management challenge for the commission.
Oversight
Fate of effort to block IRS private debt collection hinges on Senate
House expected to pass measure blocking outsourcing, but prospects in Senate are dimmer.
Oversight
Lawmaker demands records on fired Blackwater employee
Chairman of House oversight panel wants to know what the State Department did to alert the Pentagon to 2006 shooting incident.
Oversight
Report cites some gaps in Defense payroll security
More could be done to increase physical security of data in the Defense Civilian Pay System, auditors say.
Oversight
Critics contend loopholes are diminishing new earmark rules
Inconsistencies in how the requirements are applied, and difficulties removing set-asides from non-spending bills are two issues cited.
Oversight
A Race to Watch
The results of an upcoming special election in a heavily blue Massachusetts district will be telling.
Oversight