2. House panel backs civil service protections in homeland bill By Molly M. Peterson, National Journal News Service During a marathon markup session that dragged into the Thursday night and Friday morning, the House Government Reform Committee voted to ensure civil service protections for federal employees slated to move into the proposed Department of Homeland Security. Committee Chairman Dan Burton, R-Ind., offered an amendment to restore collective bargaining rights, health and retirement benefits and whistleblower protections that the new homeland security secretary would have been allowed to waive under the president's bill (H.R. 5005). Burton's amendment also would modify the bill's procurement provisions and ensure that certain sunshine laws, such as the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act would apply to the new department. Full story: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0702/071202njns1.htm