News

Lawmaker warns Justice official Fifth Amendment won’t stop interview

It "would be poor public policy" for a witness to be excused from testifying because she feared an unwarranted perjury prosecution, Judiciary panel chairman says.

News

Senators disagree on whether attorney general should go

Alberto Gonzales says he will not resign, but acknowledges mistakes were made and accepts responsibility.

Defense

Bill to provide supplemental defense funding encounters delays

A spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee says the measure will not be taken up Thursday, as lawmakers originally intended.

Defense

Key senator schedules showdown on TSA bargaining language

One compromise option would let screeners unionize, but give the agency the authority to take actions deemed necessary in emergencies.

Defense

DHS official defends effort to promote radio interoperability

Official took some heat for a recent survey finding that department employees had the lowest rate of job satisfaction at any federal agency.

Defense

TSA chief defends rail, mass transit security measures

Democrats skewered TSA for failing to produce the comprehensive rail mass transit security plan mandated by a 2003 White House executive order.

Management

SBA chief updates progress on disaster loan program

Administrator says program's processing system has been completely revamped under a plan hammered out during an August conference.

Defense

Lawmakers decry firewall limiting DHS agency's investigations

Database on employment eligibility does not allow checks for Social Security numbers obtained through identification theft.

Defense

Homeland security panel to focus on potential waste at DHS

Contacting practices will be among the areas addressed; committee will also look into first responder communications.

Defense

GAO criticizes Homeland Security assessment of risks

Auditors noted the Transportation Security Administration had not completed a comprehensive risk assessment of the nation's rail passenger network.

Management

Senators reintroduce Amtrak funding legislation

The House blocked a similar bill in 2005, but supporters say the measure has a better chance of passage with Democrats in control.

Defense

Bush Iraq plan remains a hard sell on Capitol Hill

Presentation by Defense Secretary Robert Gates leaves Democrats on Senate Armed Services panel unimpressed.

News

Ford called man of integrity, humility at state funeral

President Bush praises Ford for providing “calm and healing” during one of the “most divisive” times in the nation’s history.

Defense

DHS on track to use radiation detectors at most U.S. ports

Deployment will actually exceed the mandate of the recently approved $400 million Safe Port Act, official says.

Defense

Panel votes to extend Iraq reconstruction oversight office

Without the measure, which the full Senate has also passed as an add-on to a spending bill, the office is scheduled to close in October 2007.

Tech

Academic urges government-run emergency communications network

After the disastrous communications failures on Sept. 11, 2001, and during Hurricane Katrina, the current decentralized emergency response system shouldn’t be tolerated, professor says.

Tech

Report: E-Voting problems might infest midterm elections

Equipment failures and legal battles over new voter identification rules likely to result in delays and confusion, watchdog group says.

Management

Senate panel passes FOIA request bill

Among other things, measure calls for stricter enforcement of 20-day deadline for providing some kind of response to requests.

Defense

Infrastructure subpanel approves dam safety legislation

Bill would increase annual funding for program to $12.7 million from $8.6 million.