WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Clay Higgins, R-LA, introduced the “DHS Fixing Internal Response to Misconduct (FIRM) Act” on Wednesday.
The legislation directs the Chief Human Capital Officer at the Department of Homeland Security to develop a department-wide employee misconduct policy that will improve employee integrity within 90 days of enactment.
“The alphabet agencies of the federal government are riddled with waste and abuse that devour the people’s treasure with almost no measure for accountability,” said Rep. Higgins. “My bill would introduce procedural changes at the Department of Homeland Security to promote a culture of responsibility that holds federal employees accountable for misconduct on the taxpayer’s dime.”
This bill directs component heads at DHS to comply with the newly developed employee misconduct policy, including the development of a baseline table of offenses and penalties to be used for non-disciplinary and disciplinary actions.
“It is imperative that the Department of Homeland Security be able to carry out its national security mission in an efficient and effective manner. Our bill is a step toward that goal. We’re increasing accountability and making DHS more responsive to the American people. The federal government should be small, efficient, and effective,” said Rep. Higgins.
