Federal Daily - April 2, 2008
FAA Eases Veterans Training Benefits Restrictions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has loosened some eligibility restrictions and will allow
veterans and their dependents training to be air traffic controllers to qualify for educational support
under the GI Bill, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said. Relaxing the restrictions
for veterans had been a thorny issue for NATCA and FAA, which initially refused because the agency
said granting such educational benefits to veterans constituted an illegal conflict of interest and
possibly dual compensation, the union said in a March 31 statement. However, under pressure from Congress,
as well as NATCA and the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs (VA), FAA finally relented, said
NATCA President Patrick Forrey. “It is only right for the men and women who selflessly served
our country to be recognized in this manner,” Forrey said. “This is the least we can do
to thank these veterans for their service.” FAA certifying officials across the country have
begun receiving training from VA to process enrollment paperwork for eligible veterans. FAA certifying
officials will submit this paperwork directly to VA, who will then be responsible for processing and
final approval of all applications. To see more, go to: www.natca.org/mediacenter/press-release.aspx.
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House Bill to Boost CBP Staffing by 6,000
Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, on March 31 introduced a bill that—if it becomes law—would
boost Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing by 6,000 over the next five years—including
the addition of 5,000 CBP officers. The measure, H.R. 5662, would also add another 1,200 agriculture
specialists and 350 new support employees in an effort to shore up short staffing at the nation’s
air, land and sea ports of entry. Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union
(NTEU), applauded the bill. “NTEU has long advocated substantial increases in CBP staffing,” Kelley
said, pointing to a wide range of problems related largely to a lack of CBP resources. Kelley cited
low employee morale stemming from implementation of new work schedules on short notice and changes
to mandatory overtime rules. Work force turnover is also a problem, Kelley said, noting that during
2007, an average of 52 CBP officers left the agency every two weeks. Reyes, chairman of the House Intelligence
Committee, is a former Border Patrol agent and represents a district that lies along the U.S.-Mexican
border and includes four international ports of entry. To see more, go to: www.nteu.org/PressKits/PressRelease/PressRelease.aspx?ID=1242.
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VA Releases Updated Veterans Handbook
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced March 28 it had released an updated version of the
popular Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents handbook. It contains updated rates
for certain federal payments and outlines a variety of programs and benefits for veterans. The handbook
includes resources to help vets access their benefits, with a listing of toll-free numbers, Internet
addresses and a directory of VA facilities throughout the country. The handbook can be downloaded
free from VA’s Web site at www.va.gov/OPA/vadocs/current_benefits.asp.
To see more, go to:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1475.
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