Defense

New airport screening policy under fire

Some groups are arguing that extra security measures for passenger from certain countries amount to racial profiling.

Defense

Questions persist about security lapses

Leaders of Senate oversight committee will hold a hearing to examine why the intelligence community was unable to detect attempted Christmas Day attack.

Oversight

Panels set hearings, key Homeland Security posts still vacant

Bombing plot hearings to begin Jan. 20; Senate still needs to consider nominees for three top DHS jobs.

Defense

Senators: Army needs better info about soldiers

After Pentagon briefing on Fort Hood shootings, chairman and ranking member of Homeland Security panel conclude Army needs to upgrade its personnel policies.

Defense

Aides: Short PATRIOT extension likely

Expectation is that expiring provisions will be reauthorized for three months, giving lawmakers time to work out their differences.

Defense

Grant program adds three cities to highest-risk group

Boston, Philadelphia and Dallas will receive more funds under the state homeland security grant program.

Defense

Napolitano to reset deadline for foreign cargo scanning

Homeland Security chief says cost, lack of adequate technology and inability to secure agreements with foreign governments make 2012 goal unrealistic.

Defense

Prospects fade for quick Real ID repeal

Many states are not prepared to meet the law's Jan. 1 deadline for issuing licenses that meet federal security standards.

Defense

Administration briefs two Capitol Hill panels on Fort Hood shootings

Senior officials speak to intelligence committees, but deny request to send witnesses to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing.

Defense

Agencies begin limited Fort Hood briefings

Lawmakers say administration should be more forthcoming with information on the deadly shootings.

Defense

Search for illegal immigrants widens

Homeland Security announces that by 2013 all law enforcement agencies should be able to access technology identifying illegal immigrants in U.S. prison system.

Defense

Democrats risk impasse over PATRIOT Act

Lawmakers might have to pass a temporary extension if the House and Senate can't agree on renewing key provisions of the law that are set to expire on Dec. 31.

Defense

Senator details plan for cybersecurity director

Susan Collins, R-Maine, wants position based at the Homeland Security Department, not in White House.

Oversight

Lieberman sees need for cybersecurity czar

Senator say his bill would not give the Homeland Security Department the power to place mandates on the private sector.

Defense

Probe of intelligence notification lapses includes Pelosi's briefings

Investigators will examine whether the CIA misled the House speaker about the use of waterboarding on terrorism suspects.

Defense

Official: Hill was not informed of other intelligence activities

Senior administration official does not disclose specific instances, but agrees that the process for congressional notification needs to be improved.

Defense

House probe of CIA briefings moves to hearing stage

Republicans claim they were not adequately consulted about the scope and direction of the investigation.

Defense

Coast Guard authorization bill clears House

Legislation includes a provision allowing crew members of U.S. ships to defend themselves against pirates without worrying about legal liability.

Defense

Senate sends Homeland Security spending bill to Obama

House approved the $42.8 billion plan last week by a 307-114 margin.

Defense

Senators bemoan H1N1 vaccine shortages

Government will have about 30 million doses of vaccine by the end of October, which is about 10 million fewer than had been projected.