THEY JUST KEEP WINNING:

House backs $401 billion bill that strengthens Pentagon control over civilian personnel (Ken Guggenheim, 11/7/2003, Associated Press)

A $401 billion defense bill approved by the House on Friday would grant Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld the increased control he sought over 700,000 civilian employees a change the Pentagon says will free more troops for combat positions.

Democrats opposed provisions of the bill affecting the civilian work force, nuclear weapons research and environmental laws. But most joined Republicans in a 362-40 vote for the bill authorizing 2004 defense programs. [...]

The civil service restructuring was one of Rumsfeld's top priorities. Pentagon officials said restrictions on hiring, firing and promoting employees forced them to use military personnel for jobs better suited for civilians. That argument found a ready audience among lawmakers who say the Pentagon doesn't have enough troops to meet its commitments worldwide.

Democrats said the bill goes too far in stripping overtime guarantees and job protection rules.

''It will undo decades of some of the most important worker protections enacted by Congress and supported by decades of Republican and Democratic presidents,'' said Rep. Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 House Democratic leader.

The ongoing assault on the sclerotic and bloated Civil Service continues to be one of the great untold stories of the Bush administration. If conservatives could stop gnawing on steel tariffs and education spending, they might notice that they're winning fights that matter.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 7, 2003 4:30 PM