FederalDaily - September 25, 2006
GAO: DOE Needs to Tighten Security, Rethink Surveys
The Department of Energy (DOE) needs to tighten security at its key emergency response facilities
and consider conducting aerial background radiation surveys of some U.S. cities to better prepare for
a potential nuclear or radiological emergency, said a new government report. The Government Accountability
Office report, released Sept. 21, said protection at the response facilities—the Remote Sensing
Laboratories at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Andrews Air Force Base, Md.—could be improved.
Both are protected at the lowest level of physical security allowed by DOE, the report said. Regarding
the aerial surveys, such assessments can be used to compare changes in radiation levels to help detect
radiological threats more quickly. as well as measure contamination levels after a radiological attack
to assist in and reduce the costs of cleanup efforts, the report said. Only New York City has had a
survey done, the report said. For more, go to: www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-06-1015.
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Sweep at AFB Nets 122 Undocumented Workers
In a surprise raid, federal agents nabbed 122 undocumented workers employed by subcontractors responsible
for building military family housing at the Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo. The workers were
arrested Sept. 20 after federal investigators determined they were illegally residing and working in
the United States, said Jeffrey Copp, special agent-in-charge of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) Office of Investigations in Denver. All suspects are men ranging in age from 18 to 50 years old
and almost all will be processed and ultimately returned to their country of origin. Three of the suspects
have outstanding criminal warrants and were turned over to local police. The sweep is part of ICE's
critical infrastructure worksite enforcement operation which works to protect potential targets—including
military bases—from the risk of terrorist attacks. The illegal aliens were working for Hunt Building
Co. Ltd., of El Paso, Texas. To see the ICE press release, got to: www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060920Aurora.htm.
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Bill to Protect Military from Finance Hucksters Sent to Bush
The House approved and sent to President Bush legislation to rein in unscrupulous financial services
and insurance companies that prey upon members of the military. The bill, S. 418, was approved on a
418-3 vote and now goes to Bush, who is expected to sign it. Sponsored by Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo.,
it would ban the sale of certain financial products on military bases, require the Department of Defense
to maintain a list of agents barred from selling on its installations and expand the authority of state
insurance regulators on military bases. House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, applauded its passage: “For
too long, unscrupulous financial agents have taken advantage of our men and women in uniform through
deceptive marketing tactics.” Not included was language dealing with payday lenders, criticized
for targeting military personnel for high-cost loans. Instead, the issue of predatory lending is expected
to be dealt with as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 defense authorization bill (HR 5122) now in conference.
To see more, go to: http://johnboehner.house.gov/News.asp?FormMode=Detail&ID=1247.
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