Oversight

Bush names new management, budget chief

Former Rep. Jim Nussle, R-Iowa, to replace Rob Portman, who's leaving for personal reasons.

Oversight

Patience Wears Thin

Voters aren’t happy with Democrats’ progress on top agenda items such as immigration reform.

Oversight

OMB claims progress in disposing of unneeded real estate

New governmentwide database shows scope of problem, with $17.7 billion in unwanted properties.

Oversight

IG: Justice inconsistent in reporting of data breaches

Department not fully meeting 2006 requirement that the loss of sensitive information must be reported within one hour, auditors find.

Oversight

Senators urge appropriators to boost SSA administrative funds

Budget resolution calls for an additional $430 million beyond President Bush’s request, to address backlog of disability claims.

Oversight

House investigators seek Justice probe of NASA general counsel

Bipartisan request suggests top lawyer may have destroyed government records and obstructed justice in throwing away meeting tapes.

Oversight

OMB releases guide for guarding statistical data

Guidelines implement a 2002 law and establish uniform standards for protecting sensitive information.

Oversight

House deal on earmarks lets appropriations work proceed

Democrats agree to include add-ons for special projects up front for debate and votes on 10 of 12 bills.

Defense

House Democrats seek to restructure Coast Guard modernization

Bill would force agency to take over as lead systems integrator for the $24 billion program within two years of enactment.

Defense

GAO urges external reviews of Homeland Security acquisition

Department to explore the possibility of establishing such reviews, performed by groups with experience in federal contracting.

Oversight

Group argues for shielding contractors’ revenue, employee counts

Disclosure would enable verification of size-based preference claims, advocates of transparency say.

Oversight

VA sets aside $20 million to handle latest data breach

Money to pay for credit monitoring will come out of cybersecurity budget, agency official says.

Oversight

GSA may let states, localities spend federal grants on schedule contracts

Advances in Web-based procurement have cut away at the argument that such a policy would hurt small businesses.

Oversight

IRS cites lack of resources to review potential fraud cases

Official says scrutinizing more refund claims before payment would require tough trade-offs.

Oversight

GSA chief spars with House panel Democrats

At hearing Wednesday, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., calls for Lurita Doan's resignation.

Oversight

Panel backs customer service standards for agencies

Measure would require officials to gather survey and focus group data, and submit it for annual reviews.

Defense

Doubts remain over management of Coast Guard fleet upgrade

Lawmakers and witnesses question whether the agency has enough contracting officials to oversee the project.

Oversight

VA official says bonuses needed to retain top executives

Lawmakers raise questions about department’s performance review boards.

Oversight

Former White House chief urges overhaul of congressional panels

Andrew Card, former Bush chief of staff and Transportation secretary, says agencies are mired in “bureaucracy” on Capitol Hill.

Oversight

Balancing Act

The Democrats took a hit from anti-war voters for softening demands for withdrawal from Iraq, but the approach may work in the long term.