Oversight
Court extends deadline for DHS decision on labor rules
Department now has until Jan. 17, 2008, to decide whether it will rewrite or drop proposed rules.
Oversight
House passes energy and water bill with veto-proof margin
Members now face bigger hurdles with the Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by about $12.5 billion.
Oversight
House slogs its way through spending bill earmark fights
Members take up Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by nearly $13 billion.
Oversight
House panel to take up bill to block outsourcing of tax collections
Democrats argue debt collection is an inherently governmental job and cite privacy concerns, but they are unlikely to win the GOP’s support.
Oversight
Senate contracting reform bill wins support
Hearing witnesses express concerns over details of Senate measure, but generally applaud the effort.
Defense
DHS to review $8 million in unpaid security contract invoices
Homeland Security officials and House lawmaker pledge to fix flawed system for paying contract guards.
Oversight
Veterans Affairs chief resigns
James Nicholson, 69, says he wants to return to the private sector.
Oversight
Early Exit
John McCain’s failure to win the trust of the GOP establishment and his association with the Iraq surge contributed to his campaign’s downfall.
Oversight
House backs bill to boost hiring for passport processing
Measure would allow State Department to rehire retirees to help with influx of applications.
Defense
Contract security guard program to see changes
Agency chief to announce reforms to make billing more efficient; lawmaker seeks better vetting of companies.
Oversight
More funding urged for SSA disability processing
Appropriators went beyond President Bush’s request but still fell short of the sum needed to make a dent in backlog of cases, group says.
Oversight
Special counsel takes heat for personal e-mail use
Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chides Office of Special Counsel chief Scott Bloch for offering commentary on work issues using a personal account.
Oversight
Cheney's office logs victory in spending bill fight
Committee votes by narrow margin to strike language that would have withheld funding for the vice president’s office pending compliance with executive order.
Oversight
Administration’s financial management chief to retire
Linda Combs helped update inventory of excess property, guided agencies in reducing payment errors.
Oversight
Labor-HHS, transportation spending bills advance
Measures overshoot President Bush's spending targets for fiscal 2008 by $16 billion, which will surely result in a veto fight.
Oversight
Appropriator outlines fast pace for remaining spending bills
Anticipated debates over a new farm bill and reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program will compete for time with the spending measures.
Oversight
Justice IG calls for jurisdiction over attorneys
Lack of authority to oversee attorneys could impede ethics investigations, IG tells lawmakers.
Oversight
Senator criticizes GSA plans to cut office supply program
A group of lawmakers, led by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says the move would hurt small companies and hamper disaster recovery efforts.
Oversight
Cheney standoff with Democrats extends to spending bill
Bills to fund the Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments start making their way through Senate.
Oversight