Overtime, Whistleblower Changes Advance

Legislation has been signed into law (P.L. 114-13) to clarify that changes enacted last year in administratively uncontrollable overtime policy for border patrol agents will not take effect until implementing rules are issued. The bill was quickly passed by Congress after DHS issued an interpretation that otherwise could have financially costaffected officers. Also, the House Veterans Affairs Committee has approved HR-571, which would strengthen rights of VA whistleblowers by making supervisors responsible for investigating disclosures immediately, imposing mandatory penalties for reprisal—including mandatory firing for a second offense—and shortening the appeal rights of those accused of retaliation, giving whistleblowers preference if seeking a transfer, and increasing training on whistleblower protections, among other steps.