A measure (HR-4770) to extend the special retirement provisions applying to federal law enforcement officers to Federal Protective Service officers has cleared a House transportation subcommittee. The move could be a precedent for extending those benefits to several other categories of federal employees who believe they should fall under those provisions since they also face dangers and hardships on the job. Various bills also are pending in Congress to grant law enforcement officer status to Veterans Affairs and Defense Department police officers, Immigration and Naturalization Service and Customs Service inspectors, canine enforcement officers and IRS revenue officers. Employees with law enforcement status pay an extra half percentage point into the retirement system but are eligible for retirement earlier and with a sweetened annuity formula.