Oversight
Lawyer for GSA chief argues investigative agency is biased
Agency should “disapprove” draft report concluding Lurita Doan violated the Hatch Act, attorney says.
Defense
Defense purchases of services rise sharply
GAO auditors say competition and contract oversight are important to secure best deals for the Pentagon.
Oversight
Agencies urge legislation to ease disposal of excess property
Witnesses agree uniform incentives and tools are needed; one proposal would allow agencies to keep a portion of the proceeds from sales.
Oversight
FEMA gives lawmakers list of nearly 4,000 sole-source contracts
Time period covered and value of the work unclear; House appropriators have written legislation prompting more competition.
Oversight
NASA official grilled on destruction of meeting videos
General counsel says he broke DVDs to prevent them from becoming public records.
Oversight
Union criticizes report backing NASA workforce flexibilities
Group charges that until the agency receives more funding, its missions and workforce remain at risk.
Oversight
Early special counsel report pushed punishment for GSA chief
Later version softened the edge, leaving it to President Bush to determine how to handle alleged Hatch Act violations.
Oversight
House Dems increase spending, challenge administration
White House signals it will not give in easily on spending later this year, particularly if Democrats are able to force a change in direction on Iraq policy.
Oversight
Recording raises questions about tax collection calls
Companies calling on behalf of IRS are limited by privacy restrictions, industry official tells lawmakers.
Oversight
Special counsel finds GSA chief violated Hatch Act
Lurita Doan challenges some of report’s findings, has until June 1 to respond officially.
Oversight
Lawmakers grill GAO chief over pay decisions
Analyst says compensation study had "significant" flaws.
Defense
Oversight of Iraq reconstruction winding down
IG office will publish investigations of key companies and government contracting operations before closing shop at the end of 2008.
Defense
SBA study shows perils of analyzing small business contracts
Reviewers ran into conflicting and unreliable data in preparing report on small firms' performance in outsourcing contests.
Oversight
Senators look to protect NIH from budget cuts
Leaders of appropriations subcommittee are seeking to restore as much as possible of $328 million in proposed cuts.
Oversight
Closing In
The contest for the GOP presidential nomination is tightening, with John McCain gaining on Rudy Giuliani.
Oversight
McCain pledges to reorganize federal workforce
GOP presidential hopeful says he'll devote "necessary resources" to making sure "government pay scales allow us to attract the finest public servants."
Defense
Panel backs security grants, cuts modernization aid
Appropriators vote to provide about $700 million for the Coast Guard's fleet upgrade program, about $450 million less than current levels.
Defense
Appeals court allows Pentagon to limit collective bargaining
Labor unions argue that one judge's strong dissent may merit a full court review of the decision upholding the Defense Department's new personnel system.
Oversight
Dems’ 2008 budget plan passes, previews tough choices
White House opposes $21 billion increase in domestic spending the budget allots, has threatened to veto bills exceeding $933 billion request.
Defense