New Whistleblower Protections at Issue

The House has passed legislation (HR-985) to expand protections for whistleblowers, seeking to broaden the definitions of what types of disclosures are covered and the types of retaliatory personnel actions prohibited. The measure also would: extend employee protections to Transportation Security Administration screeners and employees working on scientific research or national security issues; allow for access to jury trials for federal employees and contractors in whistleblower cases; authorize the payment of compensatory damages for employees involved in such cases; and remove the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals over whistleblower appeals. However, the Bush administration has threatened to veto the bill, objecting primarily to provisions that would extend whistleblower protections to employees at national security agencies who disclose classified information to Congress. For a closer look at the bill’s provisions and the administration’s position, go to fedweek.com/HotFreeNews in the hot free info section of our website.