Panel calls for separate Federal Protective Service

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted Thursday to reorganize the agency responsible for protecting federal buildings.

The bill (H.R. 809) is a response to the tragic bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. It would make the Federal Protective Service an independent operation under the General Services Administration rather than part of that agency's Public Building Service. The FPS is responsible for security at many of the 8,300 federal buildings across the country.

The bill would also clarify the responsibilities of FPS officers, and increase the number of full time officers to 730. The bill would give those officers equivalent pay and benefits to Secret Service agents.

A manager's amendment, which passed on a voice vote, made technical corrections in the bill to ensure FPS officers were subject to federal law enforcement rules, and that the roles of the Secret Service and Marshals Service will be respected.

The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, passed on a voice vote as well.