Second, I'd like to thank Senator Voinovich for holding a hearing on this very essential issue. The Federal Protective Service is of the utmost importance. They are the ones who secure all our federal buildings, and after the incident a few years back in Oklahoma City, we can't be too careful. HR 809 is a very important bill.
Currently, there is a disconnect between the Assistant Commissioner of FPS in Washington, DC and the FPS officers in each of the 11 regions. HR. 809 makes changes this system to create a chain of command from Washington DC to the FPS Regional Directors. Connecting the Assistant commissioner directly to his regional directors is certainly a positive step. Establishing a minimum of necessary experience for FPS Directors also seems to make sense . There are other provisions of the bill that similarly make important improvements, such as new training requirements.
However, I'm not sold on the need to make FPS a separate entity from PBS. That seems likely to create more confusion.
I look forward to hearing the opinions of our witnesses and working with them and this subcommittee on HR. 809.