Author Archive
Oversight
Congress' Road to Recess Is Still Blocked Over Highway Funding
The House and Senate need to agree on a highway bill and the fate of the Export-Import Bank before they can leave town for August.
Oversight
Senate Enjoys a Relatively Friendly Debate Over a Contentious Bill
This week's main event on Capitol Hill is the expected Senate passage of a No Child Left Behind rewrite.
Oversight
As Deadline Nears, Highway Bill Still Stalled
Two parties can't agree on whether to do a short- or long-term roads measure, or on how to pay for it.
Oversight
House Republicans Will Take Two Swats at the EPA This Week
The battles over greenhouse gas rules and trade top the congressional agenda.
Pay & Benefits
Most in the Military Get No Retirement-Savings Help. That Could Be Changing.
Under the current system, personnel who serve 20-plus years get a pension. But what about everyone else?
Management
Pentagon Procurement Could See Dramatic Changes
McCain plan would make specific people responsible for cost overruns.
Defense
Why John McCain Thinks the Days of Fighter Pilots Are Over
The Senate Armed Services Committee chairman sees a drone-heavy future, but only if the military-industrial complex can be nimble enough to achieve it.
Defense
When the Defense Bill Collides With 'Extraneous' Politics
The Pentagon authorization measure always has to sail through controversy before passage. But this year's fight over budgeting is especially tough.
Defense
Democrats Go Wobbly on Defense Bills
The defense authorization and appropriations bills use the same gimmick, so why are Democrats standing firm on one but not the other?
Defense
Democrats Set to Block Defense Bill Amid GOP Attacks
The Senate minority wants to make a stand on budget caps, and the majority hopes to make them pay for it.
Oversight
Senate Takes Up Defense Authorization Bill, House Works on Defense Spending
The week will be headlined by the fight over amendments on the Pentagon authorization bill.
Oversight
The Next Budget Conflict Has Begun, With a Potential Shutdown on the Line
The dispute over defense versus domestic spending means bills will pile up until September. What happens then?
Defense
Democrats' Shifting Line on Pentagon Spending
The minority party has vowed to block appropriations bills for their use of a "slush fund." But they'll let the authorization bill go through.
Oversight
Standoff Over Defense Spending Could Seriously Endanger Major Bill
Lawmakers can't agree on how to handle budget caps under sequestration.
Oversight
The Senate's Three Competing Priorities Before Memorial Day Recess
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is juggling Trade Promotion Authority, the Patriot Act and a highway bill.
Oversight
House Preps Highway Extension as Deadline Looms
Funding would continue until July 31, but a long-term solution remains elusive.
Oversight
Amtrak Has a Trust Problem in Congress
Democrats want to give the rail service more money, and Republicans are demanding more accountability.
Defense
Battles Over the Pentagon's Budget Are Likely This Week
Both chambers of Congress will work on defense authorization measures this week.
Oversight
Senate Heavy Lifting Begins With Education and Iran; Budget Framework Still Under Negotiation
Presidential hopeful Rand Paul could use high-profile education bill markup to make a political statement about the intrusion of government.
Oversight
There's an IRS Investigation That's Bipartisan and Leak-Free
The Finance Committee's probe of how the tax agency handled conservative groups has stayed below the radar, and that's by design.
