Policy
Congress: We're Still at War and We're Not Closing Gitmo
A House amendment to end the legal authorization for war fails as Republicans insist “terrorism is not going away.” By Stephanie Gaskell
Threats
Intel Committee Approved Arms for Syrian Rebels
House panel had “reservations” but moved White House plan forward last week.
Policy
McCain Is Wrong About Dempsey on Syria
Sen. John McCain wants answer from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Syria. But surely he knows Gen. Martin Dempsey isn't going to answer them. By James Joyner
Policy
A QDR for the VA?
A bill before the House Veterans Affairs Committee would require the Veterans Affairs Department to conduct a four-year review, but is more paperwork what the agency needs? By Stephanie Gaskell
Defense Systems
Like it or not, controversial CISPA cybersecurity bill is back
Two members of the House Intelligence Committee on Feb. 13 reintroduced their Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), which passed the House of Representatives last year but failed to make it through the Senate.
Defense Systems
Republicans pledge to work toward avoiding sequestration
A top Republican senator said Nov. 25 that his party is willing to be flexible about increased revenues provided Democrats give ground on entitlements in the quest to find a legislative solution to sequestration.
Defense Systems
Senate rejects Cybersecurity Act for second time
A chorus of voices that included Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top national security officials was not enough to convince the Senate to pass the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 during a second vote on the controversial legislation on Sept. 14.
Defense Systems
Sequestration planning gets under way at DOD
The Defense Department is at last coming to grips with how it might handle $500 billion in spending cuts over the next decade scheduled to take effect Jan. 2 if Congress doesn't head off the impending sequestration with a deficit reduction plan.
Defense Systems
Cybersecurity legislation unlikely this year unless president steps in, says Rep. Dan Lungren
Congress isn't likely to pass cybersecurity legislation this year because the private sector is skeptical of government involvement and many Americans don't understand the urgent need for it.
Defense Systems
Informal discussions to head off sequestration underway, says SASC Chairman
There might be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the sequestration dilemma facing the Defense Department.
Defense Systems
Pending guidance on sequestration fosters wait-and-see mindset among contractors
Defense contractors frustrated that Congress still has not found a way to avert automatic budget cuts scheduled to begin Jan. 2 might in the days ahead alert thousands of their employees that their jobs are at risk.
Defense Systems
Sequestration creates friction between Congress and OMB
When the House and Senate return from recess in September, lawmakers will only have until Jan. 2, 2013, to pass a spending bill that eliminates $1.2 trillion or more from the federal deficit.
Defense Systems
Sequestration defies rational planning, deputy secretary says
With sequestration looming increasingly large on the horizon, defense and civilian agencies have received little or no guidance on cutting spending and key deadlines.
Defense Systems
Defense contractors could go years without facing sequestration's impact, but DOD civilian employees may not be so lucky
New research indicates many defense contractors, both large and small, have been worrying about sequestration and bracing for impact, but it’s the Defense Department workforce that will feel the effects first.
Defense Systems
Six-month stopgap measure clouds defense appropriations
Congress is planning to forego appropriations bills for fiscal 2013 in favor of passing a six-month-long stopgap spending measure that would seek to maintain 2012 funding levels though March
Defense Systems
Cyber warfare rules for military still pending
The Defense Department is still struggling with how to write the rules of cyber warfare, particularly the offensive portion involving when and how to respond to a major cyberattack, senior military leaders told Congress July 25.
Defense Systems
White House offers belated support for cybersecurity bill
The White House is making what appears to be an all-out push to get CISPA passed. Why is there such a sense of urgency now?
Defense Systems
Cyber compromise bill swaps mandates for incentives
The revised Cybersecurity Act of 2012 relies on “carrots rather than sticks.”
Defense Systems
House DOD appropriations bill puts cyber under microscope
The House is expected to pass its version of the 2013 defense appropriations bill, a $608 billion budget poised to take a significant hit if sequestration becomes a reality
Defense Systems