Dulles-based Orbital Sciences buys spacecraft facility from General Dynamics

Orbital Sciences, a Dulles-based space-technology company, is positioning itself as a major player in the medium-class satellite market with its purchase of a General Dynamics-owned spacecraft development and manufacturing facility earlier this month.

GOP, Democrats at an impasse before key vote on financial overhaul

Senators will face a crucial test vote Monday that could clear the way for debate on far-reaching legislation to overhaul the nation's financial regulatory system -- or end in a partisan standoff -- as Wall Street once again takes center stage on Capitol Hill.

Economic Agenda: April 26, 2010

Looking ahead to Monday At 10 a.m. -- The Commerce Department issues data on housing vacancies for the first quarter. At 1 p.m. - Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano gives a speech on efforts to tighten international aviation security. Late afternoon -- The Senate may hold a procedural...

Financial bill in limbo going into key vote

Senators will face a crucial test vote Monday that could clear the way for debate on far-reaching legislation to overhaul the nation's financial regulatory system -- or end in a partisan standoff -- as Wall Street once again takes center stage on Capitol Hill.

Food safety bill's ban on BPA resisted

The food industry and major business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are threatening to withdraw support for a long-pending bill to improve food safety, saying they are upset by a proposed amendment that would ban bisphenol-A, a controversial chemical, from food and beverage...

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A conversation with Robert A. Peck

With 362 million square feet of owned and leased office space -- enough to fill more than 5,600 football fields -- Robert A. Peck, the commissioner of public buildings for the General Services Administration, runs one of the biggest real estate portfolios in the country.

Cash pours in for Murtha's top aide in Pa. race for seat

Many of the defense contractors that benefited from the late Rep. John Murtha's power to dole out Pentagon contracts are lining up to help elect his top aide to the seat.

App rejections fall far from tree

The story could have been programmed to draw media coverage, were it not for its implausibility: Apple (a reader magnet) banned a future Pulitzer Prize winner's iPhone application (invoking journalists' professional pride) because it "ridicules public figures" (spurring righteous indignation amon...

On climate bill, Democrats work to overcome Graham's immigration objections

The current predicament of the Senate climate and energy proposal, which was attractive enough to lure the leaders of not only the Christian Coalition but also ConocoPhillips, Exelon and Duke Energy to a now-canceled bill launch Monday, underscores the fragility of its support.

Economy Watch: Moving forward will take more than an ad campaign

These days, I'm something of an advertising hobbyist. Before I began writing an economics blog, I spent several years covering the media and entertainment industries, which included advertising. Part of my job was to decode -- taking an ad apart, piece by piece, and explaining which consumer butt...

World Bank gives more clout to a rising China

The World Bank recognized China's growing economic influence and agreed Sunday to elevate Beijing's voting power, placing it behind only the United States and Japan in the 186-nation lending organization.