OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act of 2015

Floor Speech

Date: June 23, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security Government Operations

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
1633.

From 2011 to 2013, over 200 DHS employees were placed on paid
administrative leave. While administrative leave may be necessary on a
case-by-case basis, more frequently, we hear of Federal employees who
are under investigation for conduct-related actions. These
investigations can last for several months, which can result in a
substantial cost to taxpayers.

For example, in 2013, a DHS employee was placed on paid
administrative leave for running a Web site that predicted and
advocated a race war. Such action should not involve paid leave. It
clearly should involve termination of employment.

Another example involves former Acting and Deputy DHS Inspector
General Charles Edwards. Mr. Edwards was placed on paid leave in May of
2014. As of October 2014, he was still on paid administrative leave.

This bill protects precious taxpayer dollars by requiring DHS to
track and report on employees placed on administrative leave for
personnel matters. By keeping track of who is on paid administrative
leave, we can better ensure we are not using the taxpayers' dime to pay
for DHS employee misconduct.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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