FederalDaily - August 8, 2006

Bill Would Bolster Security for Judges, Other Personnel

Judges, law enforcement officers and courthouse personnel would have additional protection at work under a new bill introduced Aug. 4 by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. The proposed legislation would increase security for those who work in courthouses and toughen penalties for crimes against them. If enacted, The Court and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2006 would toughen penalties for murder, kidnapping and other violent crimes committed against federal judges and federal law enforcement officers. The bill also would authorize federal judges and prosecutors to carry firearms, and would create special penalties for intimidation of, and/or retaliatory violence against, a family member of a federal judge or federal law enforcement officer. For more information, visit: http://cornyn.senate.gov/index.asp?f=record&lid=1&yid=1&rid=237228&pg=1.

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State Dept. Staffing and Language Shortfalls Persist

The State Department continues to struggle with staffing shortages and foreign language deficiencies despite initiatives to address both problems, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report out this month. The study found that while a 2002 initiative to boost the number and skills of State Department employees was implemented, the department still has difficulties attracting qualified applicants. Some mid-level slots, for example, are staffed by junior officers who lack experience. This compromises the department’s ability to carry out foreign policy objectives and execute duties—some critical to the war on terror— according to the report. Likewise, while making some progress in increasing foreign language capabilities, the department has not filled language-designated positions with language proficient staff. Currently, one third of the staff does not meet the language requirements. Gaps in language proficiency can adversely impact the department’s ability to communicate with foreign audiences and execute critical duties, GAO concluded. GAO made several recommendations to address both gaps. For more information, go to: www.gao.gov/new.items/d06894.pdf.

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Senate Passes Job Training Measure for Vets

Included in a veterans benefits package passed by the Senate Aug. 3 is legislation that would expand job training opportunities for vets in industries such as construction, energy, hospitality and trucking. The measures, originally proposed in a bill called the Veterans Education and Training Act introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., were passed as part of another veterans bill, S. 2694, and sent to the House. Under the G.I. Bill, the Veterans Administration offers an accelerated payment program that provides education payments to veterans who enroll in high-tech training programs. If passed into law, the new legislation would expand that program to include training construction, energy, hospitality and trucking. As currently written, the legislation would take effect Oct. 1, 2007.

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