House delays ruling on background screening proposal

For the safety of the American people and legitimacy of government, background screenings may be implemented for expected service people. The House of Representatives won't require criminal background checks on new city hires, D.C. Wire reports. On Monday, following the release of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform report on Mayor Vincent C. Gray's association with Sulaimon Brown, U.S. Representative Darrel Issa introduced a bill requiring the background screening of expected service positions. The proposal came with much criticism from city officials that complained it was an infringement on Home Rule. Council member Mary M. Cheh announced a resolution to condemn the proposal, the news source states. Frederick Hill, communications director for House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said in a statement that Issa agreed to delay his bill based on the assumption the council would act on it within a couple months. "The chairman and the committee, of course, are going to wait and see what passes before making any judgment," said Hill. "But they are looking at this with the optimistic belief that the D.C. Council will address concerns about improper hiring practices."