Defense Systems
Will cyber laws mitigate the threat?
The piecemeal approach governments are taking in mandating action to improve cyber defenses wastes precious time and limits funding organizations have to expend on this problem.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers urge Panetta to cancel workforce freeze plans
A group of senators has asked Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to back off of current plans to freeze the number of civilian employees at the Defense Department at fiscal 2010 levels.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers oppose cybersecurity legislation committee
With many committees claiming jurisdiction over cybersecurity, little progress has been made on passing comprehensive legislation. Sen. John McCain's call for a temporary select committee to break the logjam quickly met with resistance.
Defense Systems
Drone attacks: Acts of war or old-fashioned policing?
While the United States says flying an unmanned aerial vehicle over a foreign nation is not necessarily an act of war, there is no doubt that a UAV attack committed by another government on U.S. soil would be seen as one.
Defense Systems
DARPA and Congress battle over spending, project priorities
The Senate Armed Service Committee is threatening to cut the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's budget by as much as $150 million as the struggle continues between the agency and Congress.
Defense Systems
Senate slashes $6B from defense spending bill
The Senate Armed Services Committee is calling for $6.4 billion in defense spending cuts as it pushes forward its proposed DOD authorization for full Senate consideration.
Defense Systems
10 lessons to pull back the veil on government spending
The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board oversaw the spending and tracking of money from the 2010 economic stimulus law, and it impressed many people inside government and outside. Now, it's the model for the future.
Defense Systems
$690B 2012 defense budget clears House
The House has passed a budget with nearly $700 billion for defense in fiscal 2012, but the bill isn't out of the woods yet.
Defense Systems
House works to halt potential closure of Army research center
The U.S. House Armed Services Committee is concerned that a shutdown of the Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command would undermine contributions of the science and technology community.
Defense Systems
Vince Lombardi and federal management
Sen. Tom Carper recalls a saying by a legendary sports figure to illustrate the importance of setting clear goals.
Defense Systems
After bin Laden victory, lawmakers seek to increase special ops funding
The special operations community may get more funding after its operation against Osama bin Laden.
Defense Systems
Former political powerhouses join Partnership's board
The Partnership for Public Service has elected former Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag and other key figures to its board of directors.
Defense Systems
New bill pushes for more oversight on intell programs
Program officers would have to tell the director of national intelligence about their IT projects before they could spend money if a new spending bill becomes law.
Defense Systems
Former GSA procurement chief goes to the Hill again
Emily Murphy will be working on small-business contracting and workforce issues for a House committee.
Defense Systems
Fight brewing over DOD budget cuts
The U.S. public overwhelmingly wants defense cuts, but the Defense Department says that's dangerous.
Defense Systems
Army probe looks into alleged 'mind control' of lawmakers
In Nov. 2009, a special arm of the Army that specializes in psychological operations was assessing how U.S. propaganda was being accepted in enemy territory. Three months later, it was ordered to use the same mind games on Americans, according to a new report.
Defense Systems
DOD budget focuses on future conflict needs
The Defense Department's proposed $553 billion budget for fiscal 2012 marks a modest increase.
Defense Systems
Lawmakers fret over lack of cyber defense coordination
A panel of lawmakers notes that the nation and the Defense Department still aren't taking cyberspace threats seriously.
Defense Systems
Jane Harman to leave Congress
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) is leaving Congress to lead the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.
Defense Systems