Defense

GAO criticizes Defense combat supply operations

The services still have problems keeping track of supplies and spare parts, resulting at times in shortages for troops in the field or overstocking of material.

Defense

Panel moves to help State handle influx of passport requests

Measure waives an earlier congressional mandate that all new hires be used to fill State Department vacancies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tech

Space exploration proponents regroup to fight for resources

House subcommittee allocates relatively minor increases in NASA funding to earth science programs, aeronautics research, education and climate change sensors.

Defense

Doubts remain over management of Coast Guard fleet upgrade

Lawmakers and witnesses question whether the agency has enough contracting officials to oversee the project.

Defense

Defense orders overhaul of troubled fighting vehicle program

Carrier is critical to national security and the effort can’t be canceled, given the lack of alternatives, acquisition official says.

Defense

Resource shortages not limited to reserve units

The increased funding provided by the normal defense budgets and war-related supplemental spending bills is not meeting active-duty needs either, Defense officials say.

Defense

House subcommittee votes to roll back parts of Defense personnel system

GOP staffers may seek to reverse action in full committee markup.

Defense

House panels trim missile defense, exceed personnel requests

Subcommittee rejects administration attempt to increase fees for military retirees’ health care.

Defense

Panels give special ops, Navy more procurement funding

Subcommittee unanimously approves the addition of funds to build two extra ships and to start work toward building two nuclear attack submarines a year by 2010.

Defense

Subcommittee clears bill to step up screening of airport workers

Supporter cites four recent cases at different airports in which individuals misused their status as authorized employees.

Defense

House panel mulls stalled progress on biodefense program

Incentives for companies to go through long, costly vaccine development process are weak, federal officials acknowledge.

News

Panel clears 2008 budget proposal over GOP objections

Resolution would fully fund President Bush's defense request and the war on terrorism, while providing for domestic priorities.

News

NASA's budget might delay space shuttle replacement

United States is headed for a more than four-year stretch where it will need to rely on other countries for transport to space station.

Defense

Military chiefs defend veterans' care, shipbuilding costs

Most problems with treatment occur once the severely wounded have left the services and are waiting to get into other treatment programs, officials say.

Defense

Appropriations panel targets Bush border security plan

GAO official testifies that the terms of a contract for the major border project are vague and need adjustments; DHS official disagrees.

Defense

Air Force leaders argue need to retire old aircraft

Mothballing oldest planes would save $1.7 billion a year in maintenance costs, service officials say.

Defense

Special ops forces seek more intel, better communications

Force leaders urge defense contractors not to “head hunt” their personnel, cite unmanned aerial vehicles as valuable assets.

Defense

Pentagon implements plan for new U.S. Africa command

Command headquarters will have a much greater interagency make-up and civilian membership than other unified commands.

Defense

Marine Corps, Air Force Osprey cleared to resume flying

The hybrid airplanes were barred from flying Feb. 9 after the discovery of a problem in a circuit for back-up computers.

Defense

Assertion of more Iraq waste goes unsupported

Witnesses at House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing decline to endorse panel chairman’s projections of waste.