The Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus announced on April 14, that it is adding two new members. Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) are joining the bipartisan caucus, a group of senators committed to raising awareness of the value and need to protect individuals who call attention to fraud, waste and misconduct.
“Whether it is in the government or private sector, whistleblowers play an invaluable role to keep organizations accountable. Unfortunately, these brave and patriotic citizens often face ridicule and retaliation for their disclosures. I’m happy that Senators Boozman and Carper are joining our effort on the Whistleblower Protection Caucus to protect whistleblowers and send the message that they should be commended, not condemned, for their work to keep their organization honest,” Grassley said.
“Protecting whistleblowers must never be a partisan issue. That’s why I am pleased to welcome two Senate colleagues – one Republican and one Democrat – to the Whistleblower Protection Caucus. I look forward to working with Sen. Boozman and Sen. Carper and all of our Caucus members on this important effort. One of our main goals in the Caucus is providing assurance that anybody coming forward to blow the whistle on waste, fraud, and abuse is not alone and that their brave work is respected. We benefit as a nation when that goal is achieved,” Wyden said.
“I’m pleased to join efforts to protect whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing within the government. These individuals need reassurance that they will not face retaliation for speaking up,” Boozman said.
“Whistleblowers can help Congress improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the federal government by shining a light on wrongdoing or misbehavior and helping root out waste, fraud and abuse. These brave individuals help uphold the integrity of the missions they serve and can spark positive change. I look forward to working with my colleagues in this caucus to ensure that individuals can feel free to speak out without fear of retaliation,” Carper said.
The Whistleblower Protection Caucus was founded earlier this year to foster bipartisan discussion on legislative issues affecting the treatment of whistleblowers and serve as a clearinghouse for current information on whistleblower developments of interest in the Senate.
Other members of the caucus include senators Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mark Kirk of Illinois, Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Barbara Boxer of California, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Ed Markey of Massachusetts.
