FederalDaily - March 19, 2007
VA Launches Web Site Looking for Feedback, Ideas
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a Web site to solicit feedback from military veterans
and their families, and collect suggestions on ways to improve services and cut bureaucratic red tape.
VA Secretary Jim Nicholson, also head of the new inter-agency task force examining the combat veterans
claims process, announced the creation of the dedicated Web page on March 15. “As the task force
moves forward in studying how we can enhance services and cut red tape, we believe it’s important
to provide veterans, their family members and others with the opportunity to share their ideas and
experiences,” said Nicholson. People can e-mail their comments to the task force at TFHeroes@va.gov,
fax comments to 202-273-9599 or go to the Web site itself at www.va.gov/taskforce.
The site allows active duty service members, veterans, family members and others to comment directly
to the task force on the accessibility, timeliness and delivery of services, said Nicholson.
:: Back to Top ::
NTEU Applauds House Passage of Whistleblowers Bill
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) applauded a House vote approving a bill to expand whistleblower
rights and protections for federal workers—including national security employees. House approval
of HR 985, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, “addresses some very serious concerns
that impact taxpayers and, indeed our entire nation," said NTEU President Colleen Kelley on March
15. The House voted 331-94 to approve the bill, with 102 Republicans joining all Democrats in
voting for the measure. The bill now goes to the Senate, which passed similar legislation last year.
President Bush has threatened a veto, but support for the measure appears both broad and deep, whistleblower
advocates say. The bill rolls back a series of judicial rulings that have weakened existing whistleblower
rights, gives whistleblowers new rights to fight reprisals and expands protections to employees not
covered by current statute, Kelley said. Notably, under H.R. 985, whistleblowers would have access
to federal district courts in the event the Merit Systems Protection Board fails to act on their claims
within 180 days. It also would allow all circuits of federal appellate courts to review such cases,
Kelley said. To see more, go to: www.nteu.org
:: Back to Top ::
USCIS Creates New Security/Integrity Office
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has established a new Office of Security and Integrity
which will be responsible for management integrity and critical security functions, USCIS Director
Emilio Gonzalez said on March 15. The new office realigns internal review and management integrity
functions located in the USCIS Financial Management Division’s Office of Planning Budget and
Finance, Gonzalez said. USCIS, a part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible
for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication and implementation of immigration
services policies and priorities. Leading the new office is acting chief Jan Lane, who joins USCIS
on a detail from DHS, where she served as director of the Coast Guard’s National Pollution Funds
Center. To see more, go to: www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/OSI_031507.pdf
:: Back to Top ::
|
