TOPICS
TOPICS
Panel OKs ban on contracts with felon-owned building security firms
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday approved a bill to prohibit the Federal Protective Service from contracting with any business owned or operated by a felon.
The bill (H.R. 3068) was approved by the panel on a voice vote with no debate. It passed the House in September 2007, also on a voice vote.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., who introduced the bill, said during debate on the House floor that it was necessitated by evidence uncovered at a hearing last year that a contractor for security guards had failed to pay some of his employees. That led to an investigation in which it was revealed that the contractor had other problems as well.
"It was clear that this bill was necessary when our subcommittee learned at a hearing in June [2007] that an FPS security guard contractor had failed to pay 600 D.C.-area federal security officers and to make other important benefit payments to pensions, health benefits, and the like. Our subcommittee intervened when an action by the FPS and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau, a division of DHS where FPS is placed, was reported to us," she said.
"The effects on the security of employees, visitors and the federal agencies alike could not be ignored in today's post-9/11 climate," Norton added.
COMMENTS
- Am I reading this correctly? We allow contracts with felons, but we do a criminal, financial, and personal background check on employees. The current security process turns away applicants with minor credit problems and rumored bad behavior. The OPM form sent to persons listed as referrals subjects an applicant to innuendo and rumors and places the referral under penalty of perjury for not reporting it. The questions on the OPM form are illegal in private industry. We put workers, including contractors, under a microscope, but the owners doing the bidding get a free pass. Any chance this legislation could be expanded to include Congress and the White House and add psychological testing? We may be able to weed out the drunks and predators. Anthony Weishar Posted August 6, 2008 6:45 AM
- The only thing that GoGoldPA is missing is that Mr. Ketter is a frustrated, Civil Servant hater, who takes every opportunity to "dis" civil servants. I can only imagine that Mr. Ketter was denied a position as a civil servant in his past, possibly as a dog catcher or something, and he has continued to hold the civil servants responsible for his failed and miserable life. Dan, get a life, and move on! All the ills of the world cannot be blamed on the federal civil service, we may not be perfect, but at least we try to make a better life for America, possibly, even for you, if given a chance. jd Posted August 4, 2008 9:41 AM
- Forgive me, but, what does your comment have to do with the story that is listed here? Am I missing something? GoGoldPA Posted August 1, 2008 1:07 PM
