The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee has passed the
Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act — S. 2628 —
designed to clarify what kind of whistleblowing disclosures
are protected from retaliation, requiring the inclusion of a
statement in nondisclosure policies and forms stating that
they conform to certain disclosure protections, as well as
establishing certain authority for the Office of Special
Counsel.
Sponsored by Sens. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawaii, and Committee
Chairman Susan Collins, R-Maine, the bill would amend the
Whistleblower Protection Act to further protect federal
employees who come forward to disclose government waste,
fraud, and abuse.
Akaka’s office said the legislation was prompted by judicial
decisions overwhelmingly against whistleblowers, and led to
bi-partisan co-sponsorship with fifteen senators to codify
congressional intent, ensure an open and transparent process
for the adjudication of cases, strengthen the OSC, and ensure
that Congress gets the information necessary to conduct its
oversight and investigatory functions.
