For decades, whistleblower advocates have called on Congress to strengthen whistleblower protections for federal employees. National Whistleblower Center (NWC) is renewing this call and is urging Congress to reintroduce and pass the Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act.
“Federal whistleblowers are crucial to exposing abuse of power and corruption,” NWC states. “They stand in an unmatched position to detect and report wrongdoing, making them indispensable to safeguarding our democracy. Yet, federal whistleblowers are not afforded the same degree of protections as private sector whistleblowers. They are denied the right to file retaliation cases in federal court and are left to the mercy of appointed officials and administrative action.”
Introduced in 2024, the Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act bolsters protections for federal employees who blow the whistle to Congress. Under the bill, whistleblowers would be able to pursue retaliation cases in federal court, a key right advocates have been fighting for for decades.
Chairman of National Whistleblower Center, Stephen M. Kohn, stated at its reintroduction that this bill “is essential in order for Congress to carry out proper oversight. Protecting government employees’ ability to disclose important information without interference or fear of retaliation should be a no-brainer for any member of Congress.”
NWC has set up an Action Alert allowing whistleblower supporters to write to their members of Congress calling for the passage of the Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act.