WASHINGTON, March 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of representatives has approved a new plan to streamline the workings of the Department of Homeland Security.
A House panel approved more than a dozen measures Wednesday intended to reform and strengthen management practices at the DHS, GovExec.com reported Thursday.
The House Homeland Security Management Subcommittee approved the 2006 Department of Homeland Security Management and Operations Improvement Act, which is still in draft form.
Debate erupted, however, over an amendment that would have required the department's bureaus of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be merged, and another amendment that would have strengthened protections for DHS employees who report wrongdoing. The amendments were ultimately withdrawn, GovExec.com said.
Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., led opposition to the amendment that would have strengthened protections for those who report wrongdoing, claiming that whistle-blowers are treated like celebrities and get book deals.
The act will now be sent to the full House Homeland Security Committee for consideration.
It would require the department's undersecretary for management to provide specialized procurement training to employees responsible for contracting, authorize a 25 percent increase in the number of trained canine detection teams and allow DHS agencies to employ retired personnel as teachers at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
It would also limit to $150,000 the amount that can be spent on hiring, training and equipping each new Border Patrol agent.
The act also would require DHS to establish a database of small and disadvantaged businesses capable of providing services during major disasters and establish a National Homeland Security University.
The act would require the department's inspector general to review all contracts for the Secure Border Initiative if they are worth more than $20 million. And it would establish a Policy, Planning and International Affairs Directorate within the department.
