Federal Daily - January 13, 2009

Bill Would Split Up FDA

In light of a salmonella outbreak that has infected nearly 400 people in 42 states, Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., plans to offer a bill to split up the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In a Jan. 8 statement, DeLauro said she will reintroduce the Food Safety Modernization Act, which would divide the FDA into two distinct agencies—one for food safety, and the other to oversee pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Delauro said a new “food only” oversight agency would help address existing federal jurisdictional issues—like those between FDA and the Department of Agriculture (USDA)—which have slowed the investigation of the current salmonella outbreak. In this case, for example, because the source of the salmonella was unknown, it was unclear whether the investigation fell under the jurisdiction of FDA or USDA. “This jurisdictional limbo is potentially dangerous because it delays the investigation into an outbreak that began over four months ago and any delays in these critical investigations can sicken more people,” DeLauro said. “The scope of this recent salmonella outbreak is a reminder that reforming and modernizing our food safety laws should be a top priority in the new Congress.” To see more, go to: http://delauro.house.gov/release.cfm?id=1446.

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Army Announces $1.3 Billion Housing Project in Korea

The Army on Jan. 8 announced it was moving ahead with a $1.3 billion construction project to provide 2,400 units of family housing at Army Garrison Humphreys in Korea. The Army announced it had reached an agreement with Humphreys Family Communities LLC, which will construct, own and finance the project. Called “Park Place,” the project is designed to balance American-style residential design features in a Korean-inspired environment for three, four and five bedroom units. Park Place will have two communities and feature high-rise residential towers and a main town center that combines two-story townhouses with storefront retail space, the Army said. Each neighborhood will include a community center, playgrounds, parks, athletic fields, underground parking and open space. Military families assigned to Korea may enter into a standard lease and rent a home at a monthly rate equivalent to the Overseas Housing Allowance, the Army said. Construction is slated to begin in August, with the first units available for lease in 2012. To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2009/01/08/15627-army-announces-13-billion-housing-agreement-in-korea.

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OSC Announces Hatch Act Removals

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announced on Jan. 8 that three federal employees were removed from their jobs over violations of the Hatch Act—which prohibits direct political activity by federal workers—and a fourth received a 90-day suspension. David Briggs, an employee of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and Randell Shafer, a civilian employee of the Army, were removed from their jobs for violating the Hatch Act by being candidates for public office in partisan elections, OSC said. Briggs won a primary election for township trustee before he became a federal employee and was a candidate in the general election after he became a federal employee. Shafer was a candidate for the House of Representatives in 2004 and 2006 and solicited and received political contributions for his candidacies through mailings and his campaign Web site. Paula Acconcia, an assistant U.S. trustee, also was ordered removed from her job with the Department of Justice. Acconcia solicited a political contribution from a subordinate employee for a Missouri gubernatorial candidate while she was in the federal workplace, OSC said. In the fourth case, OSC announced that a GS-15 National Park Service supervisor has received a 90-day suspension without pay. While at an office staff meeting, the supervisor invited subordinate employees to attend a fundraising event for a congressional candidate being held at the supervisor’s home. To see more, go to: www.osc.gov/documents/press/2009/pr09_03.htm or www.osc.gov/documents/press/2009/pr09_01.htm.

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