Search

The article presents perspectives from the U.S. Congress concerning the role of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Topics discussed include the GAO's report to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee exposing the financial management problems and outdated inventory systems of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and the need for the GAO to provide timely reports to Congress to ensure relevant and balanced oversight of federal agencies.

The article discusses the continuing problems between Congress and White House on budget and governing process with appropriation bills unlikely to be settled until after the elections when Republicans hope to take control of the Senate and increase their leverage. It notes how oversight hearings in Congress have become partisan hits instead of offering constructive assistance for agencies or programs. It indicates that lawmakers have repeatedly flinched at essential decisions to reduce bases. INSET: EPA and Congress clash over regulatory authority.

The article features Senator Mark Warner talking about his experience in the private sector and his nonpartisan approach to address U.S. government challenges on fiscal management and performance. It cites the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act introduced by Warner and the Warner proposal to revise the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act. It also notes the cooperation with Warner of the Gang of Six including senators Bob Corker, Saxby Chambliss and Lamar Alexander. INSET: Strong ties to the tech community.

The article focuses on the efforts of Tom Carper, chairman of the U.S. Senate's key oversight committee, to address the complex budget and federal information technology (IT) issues. It explains that Carper wants to continue the bipartisan approach to legislation and that he plans to pursue a common sense approach to governing.

The article focuses on U.S. Representative Darrell Issa and his initiatives to revise the federal Information Technology. The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee calls for the improvement in the acquisition and procurement of federal technology. He also promotes a transparent government, and opposes Internet access restrictions.

The article describes a U.S. legislative hybrid approach to targeting spending similar to the old practice of approving funds for local projects but with additional procedures. It talks about the meaning and implications of congressional earmarks, noting that a ban was declared on the practice due to alleged abuses by congressional appropriations committees to favor members. It cites information technology (IT)-specific earmarks including a health information system in New Jersey in 2008.

The article focuses on the potential role of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in addressing issues regarding the appropriations process. The approval of an omnibus spending bill by Congress in January 2014 and Mikulski's collaboration with U.S. Representative Hal Rogers in the bill are discussed. Her views on U.S. President Barack Obama's budget proposal and advocacy for home-state agencies are addressed.

The article explains why the U.S. Congress' efforts to fund the government are ineffective in 2013. It states that the budget resolutions of the House and the Senate differ, but reconciliation efforts are minimal although this must ultimately be settled, and that both chambers have been unable to get the votes needed to approve routine appropriations. Most of the time, lawmakers reportedly ignore the budgets for huge entitlement programs partly from fear of alienating core voting blocks.

The article features Virginia Republican representative Randy Forbes as he fights for more military funding. Forbes mentions some of the issues within the U.S. military forces such as lack of ships, planes, and Army brigade ready for combat. His efforts in the congress including opposing the House-passed budget resolution as well as his concerns on the effects of steep military spending cuts are mentioned.

The article discusses the issues on information technology (IT) pending before the U.S. Congress in 2013. It observes that cybersecurity legislation to protect the American government and businesses remains a top priority in both houses of Congress. The article also elaborates on privacy and transparency, agency management and fraud prevention, and procurement and IT reform.

The article reports on the Republican legislators in the U.S. Congress have released their committees' plans to review executive branch operations. It explains that while much of the 244-page reports is conventional inquiries, it provides useful insights into legislators' planned investigations and assertion of committee prerogatives.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate and House have passed a legislative bill that repeals a provision of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act that requires senior federal employees to post information about their financial transactions online.

The author looks at how the March 27, 2013 deadline for the omnibus spending bill is causing distress among lawmakers, federal employees and contractors in the U.S. He expresses doubt on the congressional leaders' ability to extend a continuing resolution for all government spending. He also reviews political events that have changed the dynamics of the spending debate which included the failure of the Republicans to achieve their anticipated gains in the November 2012 election.

The article reveals that the U.S. Congress will also be affected by the government-wide sequester of spending which may result in lawmakers imposing furloughs or reducing staff salaries with the exception of Members of Congress which have mandated salaries.