News

White House veto threat looms over postal bill negotiations

Administration opposes language giving the Postal Service access to escrow account funds and transferring its military pensions obligation.

News

Postal overhaul bill finally passes Senate, heads to conference

Negotiations could be contentious; White House objects to language transferring responsibility for $27 billion worth of postal workers' military pensions back to the Treasury.

News

Senators lift holds on postal reform bill, paving way for vote

After reviewing bill, senators find it preferable to the House version and say it can be further improved in conference negotiations.

News

Panel weighs bill to deny corrupt public servants federal pensions

Proposed measure would deny retirement benefits to employees who commit crimes punishable by more than one year in prison.

Defense

Senate panel leaders slam FEMA's Katrina response

Bureaucracy prevented federal agencies from filling local requests for rafts, buses and high-water boats, key senator says.

News

Postal overhaul bill held up in Senate

Two senators place holds on bill, saying they want more time to study its provisions.

Management

Postal Service lobbies against reform bill

Agency says Senate legislation likely to burden Postal Service with employees' military pension costs, limit managerial flexibility.

Defense

Funding shortfalls cited for setbacks in storm response drill

Key officials, including the FEMA director, the governor of Louisiana and the mayor of New Orleans, failed to participate in the training exercise, senator says.

Defense

House bill sets up corporation for Katrina redevelopment

Measure also would direct the spending of $17 billion already appropriated for hurricane relief to rebuilding communities and providing temporary housing for evacuees.

News

Panel approves bill creating fertilizer registry at DHS

Measure would require records of anyone who produces, sells or buys ammonium nitrate, which could be used to build a bomb.

News

White House announces levee reconstruction plan

Bush will request $1.6 billion for immediate work, and $1.5 billion for longer term reinforcements.

Management

Attempt to broker postal reform deal unravels

Rates will be increased if overhaul legislation isn’t approved this session of Congress.

News

Lawmaker concerned flu plan is too costly

House committee leader says he is opposed to throwing money at an undefined problem.

Defense

Administration avian flu plan questioned by House panel

House members express concern about limited amount of money for stockpiling federally recommended amounts of anti-viral treatments.

Defense

Bill makes DHS secretary eligible for presidential succession

House panel backs plan to place secretary of Homeland Security eighth in line to succeed president.

Pay & Benefits

Bill to revamp law enforcement benefits expected

Proposal could determine whether Customs and Border Protection officers will receive the same benefits as other federal law enforcement officers.

Management

Postal workers' union criticizes reform bill provisions

Long-time supporter of postal overhaul legislation echoes concerns expressed by Postal Service Board of Governors.

Defense

DHS personnel ruling will affect Pentagon, senator says

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, suggests Pentagon "take a harder look" at its personnel proposal after DHS plan is postponed.

Management

Bill targets tax-evading contractors

Legislation instructs Pentagon to create a registry of contractors for tax purposes.

News

White House postal plan missing Senate stamp of approval

Key backer of reform says Bush administration "can do better" than compromise it has floated.