Thompson: Moving FPS to NPPD “A Good Step Forward”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Today, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement following the news from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano that she will transfer the Federal Protective Service (FPS) from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) to further streamline the department and align the protection of federal buildings with DHS’ critical infrastructure protection mission:
“FPS has been a troubled agency for several years. The Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have issued several reports on this agency’s contracting deficiencies and security failures.
At a hearing in 2007, this Committee pointed out that the previous Administration had virtually ignored the fiscal well-being of the agency. In November, the Committee will hold a second hearing examining the current state of FPS. Secretary Napolitano’s action to move FPS to NPPD is a good first step toward revitalizing FPS.
I look forward to working closely with NPPD in its efforts to shore up the financial status of this agency, provide the necessary security protections for federal buildings, and, most importantly, assure that the many people who work in federal buildings or visit federal facilities to conduct business can be confident that their safety is not at risk. Secretary Napolitano’s action to move FPS to NPPD is a good first step toward revitalizing FPS and I look forward to receiving the transition plan and other documents associated with this transfer.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
