pital Region to
assist in the development of the homeland security
plans and activities of the Federal Government;
(5) coordinate with Federal agencies in the
National Capital Region on terrorism preparedness, to
ensure adequate planning, information sharing,
training, and execution of the Federal role in domestic
preparedness activities;
(6) coordinate with Federal, State, local, and
regional agencies, and the private sector in the
National Capital Region on terrorism preparedness to
ensure adequate planning, information sharing,
training, and execution of domestic preparedness
activities among these agencies and entities; and
(7) serve as a liaison between the Federal
Government and State, local, and regional authorities,
and private sector entities in the National Capital
Region to facilitate access to Federal grants and other
programs.
(c) Annual Report.--The Office established under subsection
(a) shall submit an annual report to Congress that includes--
(1) the identification of the resources required to
fully implement homeland security efforts in the
National Capital Region;
(2) an assessment of the progress made by the
National Capital Region in implementing homeland
security efforts; and
(3) recommendations to Congress regarding the
additional resources needed to fully implement homeland
security efforts in the National Capital Region.
(d) Limitation.--Nothing contained in this section shall be
construed as limiting the power of State and local governments.

SEC. 883. [6 U.S.C. 463] REQUIREMENT TO COMPLY WITH LAWS PROTECTING
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND PROVIDING
WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed as exempting the
Department from requirements applicable with respect to
executive agencies--
(1) to provide equal employment protection for
employees of the Department (including pursuant to the
provisions in section 2302(b)(1) of title 5, United
States Code, and the Notification and Federal Employee
Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (Public
Law 107-174)); or
(2) to provide whistleblower protections for