Federal Daily - August 8, 2008
Clinton Calls for Hearing on DoD’s Sexual Assault Prevention
Program
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., called for a Senate probe into the Pentagon’s handling of sexual
assaults of servicemembers in the wake of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report last month
which indicated that sexual assault rates may be on the rise and that some assaults go unreported.
In an Aug. 6 letter to Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clinton
asked for hearing on recent GAO findings that indicate shortcomings in DoD’s response to sexual
assaults. In a survey conducted at 14 installations, GAO found that 103 servicemembers alleged sexual
assault within the preceding year, yet approximately half of them did not report such assaults. Reasons
given for non-reporting included fear of harassment and a belief that nothing would be done, according
to the report. Clinton also said she was concerned that DoD had refused to allow Dr. Kaye Whitley,
director of the Office of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), to testify before
a House committee seeking information on the report. Clinton urged Levin to seek the full participation
of SAPRO in the Senate probe. “The GAO testimony noted DoD has failed to provide adequate guidance
on implementation of sexual assault prevention and response programs in deployed or joint environments,” Clinton
wrote, “leaving many servicemembers vulnerable in situations where the risks for sexual assault
can be heightened.” To see more, go to: http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=301866&&.
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Bill Would Force FAA, Union Back to Bargaining Table
Sens. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and James Inhofe, R-Okla., on Aug. 6 announced bipartisan legislation
to rescind two-year-old work-pay rules imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and mandate
a return to the bargaining table by FAA and the air traffic controllers union. The bill would reverse
2006 work rules and pay rates imposed unilaterally by the FAA and reinstate previous contract language
until new rules and pay rates could be agreed to through collective bargaining, said Lautenberg in
a statement. The legislation is critical because the number of experienced professional controllers
has reached its lowest point in a decade, said Lautenberg. From April 2004 to April 2008, the number
of fully certified controllers dropped by 1,364, or 11 percent, according to the Department of Transportation
Inspector General (IG). The IG also reported that retirements were three times as high as FAA predicted
in the first month after its work rules took effect. Lautenberg said FAA’s work rules added to
the agency’s staffing problems by leaving too few experienced controllers to work the nation’s
towers. “The administration’s heavy-handed tactics have forced experienced air traffic
controllers out the door in record numbers,” said Lautenberg. “It’s time we treat
these workers with the respect they deserve.” To see more, go to: http://lautenberg.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=301835.
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USPS Reports 3Q Loss
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on Aug. 6 reported disappointing financial results in the third fiscal
quarter, with a greater-than-expected net loss of $1.1 billion. The Postal Service said that the quarterly
loss was being driven by the national economic slowdown—which reduced mail volume at an accelerated
pace—as well as by rapidly rising transportation costs. In the third fiscal quarter, mail volume
was down 5.5 percent from the same period last year. Third-quarter operating revenue dropped to $17.9
billion, a decrease of $437 million, or 2.4 percent, compared to the same period last year. While USPS
blamed a portion of the slump on the sagging economy, Postmaster General John Potter warned that “when
the economy does rebound, mail volume may not return to previous levels.” Potter said continued
lower volume will require USPS to “significantly accelerate process improvements and the realignment
of resources.” Potter did note exceptional USPS employee performance in the third quarter, during
which on-time delivery performance reached record highs for all three categories of First-Class Mail.
To see more, go to: www.usps.gov
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