White House threatens to veto DHS bill

The Bush administration and Congress are headed for another fight over major legislation, with the White House threatening a veto of a Homeland Security Department authorization bill that has broad implications for procurement, employment and technology use at the department.The administration objects to a provision in the DHS Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 that it says limits DHS’ flexibility in dealing with its employees. That provision would eliminate a waiver for bypassing bargaining unit negotiations when national security is at stake.“DHS personnel management must strike a careful balance between the flexibility needed to defend against a ruthless enemy and the fairness needed to ensure employee rights,” the White House said in a statement of administration policy.If the bill presented to President Bush contains the provisions, his senior advisers will recommend a veto, according to the statement.Other items administration officials object to include:The bill also proposes establishing an undersecretary for policy and a separate Policy Directorate that Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said is an attempt to force DHS to “finally develop a strategic vision.”The administration said it supports that move.Unlike Bush’s successful veto of the Iraq war funding bill, the administration’s opposition to the DHS authorization bill is on shakier ground.The bipartisan bill was unanimously voted out of committee. It passed the full House May 9 by a vote of 296-126.