Senate News 
Top News
- Hagel: Accountability breakdown a leading factor in sexual assaults
- PHOTOS: Meet the 2013 Service to America Medal Finalists
- SES bonuses under fire at GSA, other agencies
- Next-gen Apple devices cleared to join Defense IT networks
- VA's Gould moves the needle on many of VA's toughest challenges
- ODNI's Liberty Crossing complex closed today
- Causey: Saintly media vs. government devils
- White House wants to root out copycat programs - starting with STEM
- Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
- Hagel makes 'difficult choice,' civilian furloughs to begin July 8
- Obama appoints Danny Werfel acting IRS head
- House bill protects homeland security budget
- Intelligence Community free from furloughs
- OMB fuels the passion, synergy between mobile, open data
White House wants to root out copycat programs - starting with STEM
The Obama administration's proposed fiscal 2014 budget called for consolidating or eliminating 116 of the government's 226 STEM initiatives and centralizing the coordination of STEM programs under just three agencies: the Education Department, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Institution. The administration's STEM proposal is one of the government's first visible steps in reversing some of the duplication that riddles the federal landscape and which some lawmakers have seized on as examples of government waste.
Senate confirms former nurse to run Medicare
By an overwhelming 91-7 vote, the Senate confirmed Marilyn Tavenner to oversee Medicare, Medicaid, children's health insurance and coverage for the uninsured under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
DoD's military construction budget appears safe from sequestration cuts
Funding reductions in 2013 appropriations act are sufficient to protect military construction accounts from further sequestration cuts, but funds used for upkeep on existing buildings are severely impacted.
Fundraising from HHS secretary draws scrutiny
A fundraising push by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is drawing criticism from a key Senate Republican who questions whether she has a conflict of interest.
DoD's budget reprogramming won't help with sequestration
Pentagon says it will use its limited budget flexibility to compensate for unexpected war costs, not to blunt sequestration. Services continue to warn Congress about how budget cuts are impacting readiness.
Senate committee wants to know DoD's 2014 sequestration plan
The top lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee have called on the Defense Department to detail how it will cut billions more from its budget if sequestration continues into next year. In a letter dated May 2, Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the committee, asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to provide a "package of reductions" to the department's proposed 2014 budget.
Lawmakers take on legislative process in fight against duplicative programs
Two senators from the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee want to change Senate rules in an attempt to make sure new federal programs or initiatives in proposed legislation don't overlap with existing efforts. Earlier this month, two House members introduced a measure that would require House committees of jurisdiction to hold oversight hearings on an annual report from the Government Accountability Office detailing government duplication.
WH: Anthony Foxx in line for transportation post
WH: Obama to pick Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx for transportation secretary
Controllers to return after Congress ends FAA furloughs
Air traffic controllers are heading back to work. Congress acts to end airport delays after week of complaints about delays caused by furloughs.
Bill gives FAA authority to move funds, prevent furloughs
The House is expected to quickly pass a bill the Senate approved last night that would end furloughs for air traffic controllers. The legislation gives the Federal Aviation Administration the authority to transfer up to $253 million from accounts flush with funds into other programs. This would would help to prevent reductions in operations and staffing through the end of fiscal year 2013.
Budget battle: 3 plans on the table, what now?
Budget battle guide: What's next now that everybody's put a budget on the table?
Senate Democrats put off vote on Labor nominee
After Republicans raise concerns, Senate Democrats postpone vote on Labor secretary nominee
Retiring senator faces a $4.8 million decision
Sen. Max Baucus' decision not to run for re-election in 2014 leaves the Montana Democrat with more than $4.8 million in campaign money -- and no campaign to spend it on.
Labor nominee Perez pledges open mind
Labor nominee Perez pledges open mind, willingness to work with business, labor to create jobs
Report: US footing greater bill for overseas bases
Report: US paying more for overseas bases in Germany, Japan, South Korea despite troop shifts
Police said to have suspect in mind in ricin case
Senator: Police have suspect in mind in mailing to Miss senator that tests positive for ricin
2014 budget takes center stage on Capitol Hill
With the release of the White House's 2014 budget proposal last week, budget season on Capitol Hill is in full swing. But while Congress will be debating the merits of the President's budget plan via a flurry of congressional hearings this week, the permanent director's chair at the Office of Management and Budget remains vacant.
Congress repeals STOCK Act reporting requirements for senior execs
Congress approved a bill Friday to eliminate expanded financial-disclosure reporting requirements for Senior Executive Service members, just days before the new requirements were to go into effect. Both the House and Senate approved the measure by unanimous consent. The expanded reporting requirements were set to go into effect Monday.
Senate endorses Sally Jewell for interior chief
Senate approves REI chief Sally Jewell for interior secretary
Agency collaboration key to saving money
As the new chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs subcommittee that oversees the federal workforce and government efficiency, Sen. Jon Tester says he will work to improve government services by pushing for better inter-agency collaboration and smarter investments that produce results.
