NSPS Language Toned Down

In enacting the DoD appropriations bill, Congress toned down language that had been in the House version regarding DoD’s national security personnel system. The original language would have barred the Pentagon from spending any money to change employee rights under certain parts of the U.S. Code following a court order that blocked implementation of parts of NSPS dealing with labor relations, disciplinary actions and appeal rights. The Pentagon complained that the original language was too broad in that it also affected a part of the law involving performance management that was not at issue in the court case. The final version does not restrict spending in that area and also specifies that funding restrictions will not apply if the court decision is overturned on appeal.