Patrick Leahy: “This bill, once it becomes law, may require the agency to hire additional staff, and given the wording of section 10…”

“This bill, once it becomes law, may require the agency to hire additional staff, and given the wording of section 10, ``Offset of Costs and Personnel,'' that could mean cutting costs or laying off other staff. However, I want to be sure that unless the new employee is being added solely because of this law, and would not have otherwise been added, and that the new staff's responsibilities relate solely to implementing provisions of the law, the agency would not be required to eliminate another position. Personnel numbers at any agency fluctuate, so it is important to determine whether a particular employee was hired ``to carry out the provisions of this Act,'' as indicated in subsection (2).”