Should Congress strengthen whistleblower protections for employees in the federal government?
This bill establishes and enhances whistleblower protections for federal employees. It establishes the right of employees to share information with Congress without the interference of the President, Members of Congress, or other high-ranking federal employees. The bill also protects these whistleblowers from any punitive action and restricts other employees from revealing their identities to nongovernmental individuals.
Sponsor: Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat, New York, District 12)
View full bill text ➔
How do you feel?
Oppose
Support
Opponents say
• "At best, the WPIA is another whistleblower protection bill in search of a problem. At worst, it is a means for Democrats to talk about President Trump to distract from the failings of President Biden. Though proponents of this bill may believe it is politically difficult to vote against any bill with the words ``whistleblower'' and ``protection'' in the name, it is not the name of a bill that carries the force of law, but the words within it. The federal courts have identified rightly that not all actions taken against whistleblowers are retaliation. Common sense would affirm that. While legitimate, good-faith whistleblowers should be protected against reprisal from their superiors, in so doing they do not become immune from oversight themselves." Source: Rep. James Comer (Republican, Kentucky, District 1)
Proponents say
• "Whistleblowers are true patriots, not enemies of the state. The American people should know when their government is working for them and when it isn't. They should know when an administration is concealing something not to protect the country, but to protect its political standing. Whistleblowers are often the only way these systemic problems are uncovered." Source: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (Democrat, New York, District 12)
• "When Americans alert the nation to waste, fraud, and abuse by the federal government, they take immense personal, professional, and emotional risks. Right now, these brave citizens are vulnerable to vicious campaigns of intimidation and retaliation which put their ability to provide for their families in jeopardy. Whistleblowers help root out corruption and we must ensure they aren't victimized or silenced by those who seek to abuse their power." Source: Rep. Nancy Mace (Republican, South Carolina, District 1)
