White House threatens to veto bill repealing DHS personnel overhaul
Administration says measure would interfere with the department's management authority, hinder the department's ability to conduct missions and conflict with the fiscal 2008 budget request.
The White House threatened to veto the fiscal 2008 Homeland Security authorization bill Wednesday, as House Republicans decried a Democratic rule that prevented them from amending the legislation.
Republicans also complained that Democrats stripped or altered nearly 40 provisions in the bill without consulting the GOP after it was reported out of the House Homeland Security Committee.
"This deal makes a mockery of the democratic process ... and unfortunately will probably make our country less safe," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. "Welcome to homeland security, Democratic style."
In a procedural move, Republicans voted against the rule that prevented their amendments from being considered. The rule passed 222-197, clearing the way for floor action. Twenty-one amendments are to be debated, and a final vote might be held late today. The bill would authorize about $40 billion for Homeland Security programs.
In a Statement of Administration Policy, the White House said it strongly opposes passage of the bill and threatened a veto because of a provision that would repeal the department's authority to implement a new personnel management system.
The White House said the bill would interfere with the department's management authority, hinder the department's ability to conduct missions and conflict with the President Bush's fiscal 2008 budget request for the department.
The White House added that some provisions in the bill "would raise serious constitutional questions" by imposing employment requirements on the administration and potentially establishing racial or gender quotas in hiring practices.
Democrats said some provisions were removed or altered because of jurisdictional disputes with other lawmakers and committees. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif., said House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss, navigated the jurisdictional issues to get the bill to the floor.
Matsui said issues were raised by Republicans and Democrats, and added that Democrats intend to address provisions that were dropped through other legislation.
"This is an open process," she said. "This is the first time in two years such a bill has come to the floor. It is also the earliest a DHS authorization bill has come to the floor and the first time it has occurred before [appropriators] mark up the appropriations bill."