FederalDaily - August 18, 2006

Senator Seeks Lifting of TSA Hiring Cap

In the wake of the recently foiled airline terror plot, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., has called for the removal of the cap on the number of airline security screeners that can be hired by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to an Aug. 16 release from Lautenberg’s office, the Senate on July 12 approved a measure by Lautenberg to remove the current hiring cap as part of the DHS budget (HR 5441), but the House version of the bill would keep intact the limit of 45,000 security screeners first imposed by Congress in 2003. Lautenberg’s call to lift the limit came after DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff suggested federalizing more security functions after a plot to blow up transatlantic airliners was revealed in Britain. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), already affected by staffing pressures, would assume responsibility for checking passenger identification and boarding passes – a job currently handled by private airport employees or contractors. Lautenberg’s legislation would allow TSA to hire as many security screeners as are within its budget.

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Veterans Groups Criticize Proposed Private-Care Plan

Four major veterans’ organizations have voiced their disapproval over a proposed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plan to offer some VA health care services through private-sector contractors, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) said Aug. 15. In a letter addressing the program, PVA, the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of American asked VA Secretary R. James Nicholson to rescind the VA proposal —dubbed “Project Hero”—that would create pilot programs privatizing parts of VA health care. In a joint statement, the organizations said: “At a time when the VA has been nationally recognized for its leadership role in the health care arena for quality assurance and cost effectiveness, we are deeply concerned that the current direction of the Veterans Health Administration will be dramatically altered by Project Hero. It is our collective belief that should this proposal move forward as written the Veterans Health Administration will suffer irreparable harm.”

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Alaskan Soldiers Head Back to Iraq

Some 301 soldiers with an Alaska-based U.S. Army unit are being recalled to Iraq, Army officials announced Aug. 15. Of 378 soldiers with the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team who returned to Alaska in June and July at the end of their scheduled 12-month tour in Iraq, 301 will return to Iraq within the week to bolster Iraqi and coalition forces in Baghdad. The remaining 77 soldiers—who were considered essential to unit operations in Alaska or had other special circumstances—will remain home. “From a tactical and military standpoint, this makes all the sense in the world,” said Army Maj. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. “It is much preferable to reassemble a proven team that has fought together for so long and performed so well in such a difficult environment.”

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