House Unanimously Passes Resolution to Help Prevent Attacks against Federal Workers

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have unanimously passed a resolution calling for better protection for federal workers. The resolution, which boasts 73 cosponsors, affirms the right of federal employees to a reasonable degree of security on the job.  Rep. Jim Moran of Virginia was the principal sponsor of the house resolution.

The development comes in the wake of a series of attacks on government workers across the country. The title of the resolution is “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to raising public awareness of and helping to prevent attacks against Federal employees while engaged in or on account of the performance of official duties.“

“The tragedy at Fort Hood, the attack on an IRS building in Texas, and the shooting at the Pentagon are nothing less than acts of domestic terrorism targeting government employees,” said Moran. “This measure reminds Congress of the need for continued diligence in our efforts to protect the public from terror threats both abroad and sadly enough, here at home.”

Assaulting or murdering a federal employee engaged in or because of his or her work is a federal crime. The Justice Department investigates some 300 cases per year. From 2001 to 2008, there were more than 1,200 assaults against Federal Employees, of which roughly 200 resulted in convictions.

The resolution expresses: (1) the nation’s appreciation for the contributions made by federal employees; and (2) support for the goal of protecting their safety and security. It urges the government to seek ways to improve the safety and security of federal employees.

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