Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) in introducing legislation to strengthen protections for whistleblowers who share valuable oversight-related information with Congress.
The Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act shields federal employees from retaliation, including termination in some cases, when they report information to Congress and expands protections to some federal employees who are not covered under current law.
“As Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their minions slash and burn agencies and undermine decades of American leadership on the world stage, it is critical that public servants across our government have the ability to raise concerns about violations of the law, fraud, and self-enrichment without fear of retaliation. This legislation would expand the umbrella of federal workers afforded whistleblower protections — especially those working at the FBI and within the intelligence community — who should be protected when they report abuses of power by an aspiring dictator and Kremlin sympathizer,” said Senator Schiff
“Federal employees who bravely come forward to shine light on waste, fraud, and abuse rightfully deserve protections from retaliation—especially as Donald Trump and Elon Musk abuse their power and lay waste to vital government agencies and programs. This essential legislation bolsters safeguards for whistleblowers, empowering them to access justice and seek relief if they face retaliation. Congressional whistleblowers play a key role in defending our democracy from misconduct and violations of the law, and it is critical they receive vigorous protection,” said Senator Blumenthal.
The Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act expands upon the current Whistleblower Protection Act by strengthening protections and enforcement procedures as well as extending protections to FBI employees, intelligence community employees, and federal contractor employees. The legislation also ensures meaningful relief to whistleblowers for their federal claims, including lost wages and benefits, attorney fees, and reinstatement.
The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
“Whistleblowers support our democracy, helping to maintain accountability in the government and allowing Congress to exercise its oversight over government misconduct,” said Senator Hirono. “Given the actions of the Trump administration, whistleblowers have been crucial in bringing illegal activities to light and holding government officials accountable. This legislation will help to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, providing them with avenues for support if they face retaliation for disclosing important information on wrongdoing with Congress.”
“When employees step up and do the right thing by reporting potential illegal conduct, they must be protected,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Whistleblowers play a critical role in combating waste and corruption. Our bipartisan legislation will ensure employees can provide information to federal law enforcers about illegal behavior without fear of retaliation.”
“Federal employees are facing unprecedented attacks by an Administration set on dismantling our federal government and gutting critical programs that Americans rely on. Federal whistleblowers deserve to be shielded from retaliation when they report unlawful actions, abuse, and misconduct to Congress. Now, more than ever, whistleblowers are on the frontlines of defending our democracy. They deserve full protections and meaningful relief,” said Senator Markey.
“Federal whistleblowers have an essential role to play in keeping our government accountable to the American people. And amid Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s relentless law-breaking spree, it’s more important than ever for whistleblowers to be protected as they report waste, fraud, and abuse. Any Republicans who actually care about integrity and efficiency in government should join us in support of this bill and help us pass it without delay,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The Trump administration is giving looters and polluters free rein to profit off the government at the expense of hardworking American families,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Whistleblowers provide some of the best protection Americans have from that kind of corruption. Vindictive MAGA partisans in this administration have threatened retaliation against federal employees who disclose corruption and self-dealing to Congress, and we need to protect them.”
The legislation is endorsed by Government Accountability Project, the National Whistleblower Center, and Project On Government Oversight.
The full text of the bill can be found here.