Defense
Funding, technology cited as key to speeding security clearances
Defense agency is once again facing a budget shortfall; last year it had to suspend processing of clearance applications.
Oversight
Lawyers prepare for October hearing on Indian trust fund accounts
Inquiry will judge adequacy of Interior-proposed accounting plan.
Oversight
Watchdog group seeks probe of Education Department use of e-mail
Organization says it was told some Education employees use private e-mail accounts for official business; department says that's not the case.
Oversight
Mine safety agency under fire for slow compliance with 2006 law
Watchdog agency report cites failure to routinely assess inspectors, consistently perform emergency simulation drills or regularly educate staff on new technologies.
Oversight
Study complicates debate on women’s procurement set-aside
Analysis finds that depending on how you measure, women-owned businesses are underrepresented in 87 percent of industries, or none.
Defense
Report: DHS unit fails to fully disclose use of personal information
To comply with privacy laws, agency must detail how data collected from international air travelers is used, GAO says.
Defense
Bill would bar contractors from running Defense programs
Provision in Defense authorization bill would curb use of "lead systems integrators."
Oversight
Gonzales: Departing aide played lead role in firings
Attorney general says he structured the Justice Department so that the No. 2 official acted as the chief operating officer.
Oversight
IRS debt collection initiative set to break even next spring
Oversight board expresses cautious confidence in program to let private firms help recover unpaid taxes.
Oversight
More than 200 GAO employees to petition for back pay
Employees and retirees are seeking pay and benefits they claim they were unfairly denied under new personnel system.
Oversight
Getting Jumpy
Republican lawmakers are signaling that their patience on Iraq is wearing thin.
Oversight
Student aid chief took home $250,000 in bonuses
Theresa Shaw, whose Education Department office is under scrutiny for its oversight efforts, was covered by special performance-based pay system.
Oversight
Lawmaker wants to fence off money for contract oversight
One percent of money spent on contracts should go toward efforts to curb waste and abuse, chairman of oversight panel says.
Oversight
Subcommittee backs bill to make agencies more user friendly
Legislation would require each agency to appoint a customer relations representative and to measure satisfaction levels.
Oversight
Inspectors general gain prominence with new Congress
Lawmakers are readying proposals that would ensure more protection for good IGs, while developing procedures to remove bad ones.
Oversight
OMB chief warns of vetoes if spending cap is exceeded
Letter appears to caution Democrats against using the politically sensitive Defense appropriations bill to break Bush’s $933 billion limit.
Oversight
Lawmakers probe agencies’ diversity efforts
Ad campaigns and proactive job fair appearances are among the strategies being used to attract a diverse applicant pool.
Oversight
Education secretary defends oversight of student loan programs
Margaret Spellings enlists regulators to help stop abuses.
Defense
Update on Iraq contracting problems alarms lawmakers
Issues include poor requirements, inadequate competition and insufficient oversight.
Defense