Defense

Air Force faces criticism over hotel construction project

Price tag has ballooned by $50 million to $200 million, analyst says; Air Force official disagrees, citing final cost of about $174 million.

Defense

DHS officials deflect criticism over lapses in TB incident

Officials place most of the blame on a single U.S. agent who let the infected U.S. citizen across the Canadian border into New York.

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.

Defense

VA chief outlines immediate changes in vets' health care

All arriving patients will be screened for brain injuries, which are common because of frequent percussive blasts in Iraq.

News

Amtrak CEO: Rail service will suffer under 2008 budget

Company is seeking $1.53 billion for fiscal 2008; administration has proposed $800 million, plus a matching program for capital improvements.

News

Senators weigh PATRIOT Act attorney provision

Language in question authorizes the attorney general to appoint interim U.S. attorneys for indefinite periods.

Defense

Panel advances dam safety legislation to full House

Bill would require Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a new inventory of the nation's dams.

News

Democrats call for NOAA to focus on troubled oceans

Senators seek more resources to address challenges; problems include loss of coastal wetlands and coral reefs.

Management

House committee approves bills to sunset programs

Votes fall along party lines with key Democrat concerned commissions would be partisan, put agencies on “extermination” schedules.

Defense

Treasury official: Impact unclear from disclosure of terror tracking

Official defends policy of limiting early briefings on the program to leaders of congressional intelligence committees.

Defense

Affidavit says Cunningham intervened on limo firm's behalf

Contract was awarded through full and open competition, and alleged letter on company's behalf is nowhere to be found, DHS says.

Defense

9/11 commissioners criticize unresolved security threats

Biggest challenge is containing enriched uranium, commission leaders tell House subcommittee.

Management

Senate panel hits NASA over timing gap on space station

Facility could be left neglected in years between its completion and the arrival of a new exploration vehicle, lawmaker says.

Defense

TSA official says airport security is too predictable

Agency is working on a program to train screeners in behavior recognition techniques.

News

GAO finds 10 percent of GSA contractors owe back taxes

In one of the more extreme cases identified, a contractor was paid more than $1 million over the past two years despite owing more than $12 million in payroll taxes.

Defense

TSA told not to count on increased passenger fees

Chair of appropriations subcommittee accuses agency’s director of submitting an unrealistic budget plan.

News

Alito’s views on executive branch power remain a sticking point

A growing number of Democrats say they will vote against Alito.

Management

Senate Dems to question Alito on executive branch power

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., calls judge's support for executive branch throughout his career "genuinely troubling."

Defense

Panel debates EPA role in saying when storm areas are safe

Witnesses disagree over whether it's the federal government's job to determine when ravaged regions should be reopened to residents.

News

Panel debates strategy for rebuilding New Orleans

Lawmakers question Army Corps on level, cost of flood protection.