A Month Late, Bush Signs Defense Bill

January 30, 2008 -- After his veto delayed the implementation of important fire fighter provisions in the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 1585), including reforms to the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), President Bush has finally signed into law a new FY 2008 Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 4986) with all of the IAFF’s federal fire fighter provisions intact.

In late December, Bush vetoed H.R. 1585 at the eleventh hour over a provision dealing with the right of Americans to sue the Iraqi government. Congressional leaders complained that Bush’s failure to raise his objections prior to passage of H.R. 1585 unnecessarily delayed final action on the Defense bill.

IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger criticized the delay in implementing the fire fighter provisions. “Our DoD fire fighters and the service members they protect should not have to wait on the president to get the job protections and pay they deserve,” says Schaitberger. “This needless delay was a disservice to our fire fighters and to our men and women in uniform. There’s no question that it should have – and could have – been prevented.”

In addition to restoring collective bargaining rights under NSPS, H.R. 4986 repeals the $400 cap on uniform allowances and directs the Department of Defense (DoD) to reinvest mutual aid reimbursements back into DoD fire service accounts. These provisions take effect immediately.