Federal Daily - June 19, 2009
Obama Eases Benefits Restrictions for Workers’ Domestic Partners
President Obama on June 17 signed an executive order which modestly expands the benefits available to same-sex partners of federal employees. The order, which Obama described as a “historic step” forward, does not change Federal Employee Health Benefits Program benefits restrictions, which cannot be extended without congressional action. Under the order, however, domestic partners of federal workers will be able to get long-term care insurance, and employees will be able to use sick days to care for their partners if they become ill. In addition, partners of diplomats will be able to use medical facilities at U.S. posts abroad. “Extending equal benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is the right thing to do,” Obama said. The order “will go a long way toward achieving equality for many of the hard-working, dedicated, and patriotic LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] Americans serving in our federal government.” Also, Obama said he supported pending legislation that would give partners access to full benefits. New legislation would need to modify the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley, who supported the move, said: “I am pleased to see this important step forward by President Obama not only in doing what is right, but in better equipping federal agencies in their efforts to recruit and retain the high-quality workforce they need.” To see more, go to: www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-by-the-President-on-the-Presidential-Memorandum-on-Federal-Benefits-and-Non-Discrimination-and-Support-of-the-Lieberman-Baldwin-Benefits-Legislation or www.nteu.org/PressKits/PressRelease/PressRelease.aspx?ID=1448
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Bill Would Bar Early Termination Fees for Servicemembers
Servicemembers would get a break from early termination fees under a House bill that would—if signed into law—bar such charges when active-duty servicemembers are deployed to duty stations around the world. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., on June 15 introduced H.R. 2874, the Helping Active Duty Deployed Act, that would prevent deployed servicemembers from being charged fees for terminating contracts for cell phone service, leases on rented residences, or unfinished college courses. Although current law bars penalties for deployed military personnel who terminate individual cell phone contracts and automobile leases, there are no such prohibitions against early termination penalties for family cell phone plans. Nor are there prohibitions against charging for broken residential property leases or unused tuition, Connolly said. H.R. 2874 would change that. “It is unjust that our military personnel, who make great sacrifices on our behalf, are required to pay onerous financial penalties when they are deployed,” Connolly said. To see more, go to: www.connolly.house.gov/?sectionid=44&parentid=
6§iontree=6,44&itemid=155.
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USDA Names U.S. Forest Service Chief
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on June 17 announced that Tom Tidwell will serve as the new chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tidwell is a 32-year Forest Service veteran, beginning his career at the Boise National Forest. Tidwell has since worked in eight different national forests across three regions in a variety of positions, including district ranger, forest supervisor and legislative affairs specialist in the Washington USDA office. “Tom Tidwell’s 32 years of experience in our forests and impressive track record of collaboration and problem-solving will help us tackle the great challenges ahead,” said Vilsack. To see more, go to: www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1RD?printable=
true&contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/06/0214.xml.
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