Meanwhile, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee was preparing to move several employee-related bills including S-643, which would add identification of surplus funds or unnecessary budget authority to the list of suggestions for which employees can qualify for cash awards; S-1276, which would require new guidance on which positions require security clearances, strengthen oversight of the fund that pays for background investigations, and require the firing of federal or contractor employees who commit misconduct that affects the integrity of an investigation; and S-1045, which would generally bar those seriously delinquent on their federal taxes from federal employment, including a requirement to fire current employees under certain circumstances. The committee also has planned a vote on the non-controversial nominee to head OPM, Katherine Archuleta, potentially paving the way for her confirmation by the full Senate before the recess.
