It’s becoming easier for defense manufacturers to sell their goods oversees thanks to a change that happened in the midst of the shutdown. Before, the State Department had control over which military parts could be exported to which countries. Now the Commerce Department has assumed primary responsibility. It’s part of a larger plan to simplify export rules, but critics say it’s a dangerous move. Kevin Wolf, assistant secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, shares his perspective.

Something strange happened on Capitol Hill this week — members of Congress were getting along. The joint House and Senate budget committee met for the first time to discuss what the remainder of the 2014 budget should look like. Web Manger Julia Ziegler has more.

The Office of Management and Budget is launching a 120-day review of the federal security clearance process. Then an interagency group will make recommendations to the president. Some lawmakers say that’s not fast enough. Federal News Radio’s Jason Miller has details.

When it comes to the troubled security clearance process, all roads seem to lead to the government’s main clearance contractor, USIS. A whistleblowing former employee has filed suit against the company, alleging it shortcut the process to clear a backlog. Now the Justice Department has joined the lawsuit. Roger Waldron, president of the Coalition for Government Procurement, explains what could happen next.

Related Story: DOJ joins whistleblower suit against company that vetted Snowden, Alexis

It seems the Federal Aviation Administration’s plan to move from World War II era technology to GPS navigation and digital communications has been met with frustration and setbacks at every turn. Spending cuts threaten to delay the NextGen program even further. Marion Blakey is president and chief executive officer of Aerospace Industries Association.