The Defense and State departments and USAID have followed some recommendations of the Wartime Contracting Commission, but now say they don't want to do more. But some senators want to make the changes mandatory.
Congress is planning to forego appropriations bills for fiscal 2013 in favor of passing a six-month-long stopgap spending measure that would maintain 2012 funding levels though March.
As a hearing intended to help prepare for the effects of sequestration degenerates into a partisan shouting match, one embarrassed congressman calls the event a 'spectacle.'
Ryep. Gerald Connolly thinks the so-called lame-duck session after the November election offers a brief window of opportunity for solving some of the contentious issues facing Congress.
Language in the 2013 Defense Authorization bill is attempting to avert mandatory budget cuts that some fear could seriously hamper the Defense Department's mission, including the impact on contractors.
It would eliminate contractors' ability to point out even simple mistakes or offer their perspective on circumstances when the agency officials view it different way, critics say.
