Chairwoman Maloney and Subcommittee Ranking Member Mace Applaud House Passage of the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act

Press Release

Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Nancy Mace, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, issued the following statements after the House passed H.R. 2988, the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021:

"Whistleblowers are the first line of defense to hold those in power accountable. Congress relies on whistleblowers to exercise our constitutional oversight responsibilities, safeguard taxpayer dollars, improve federal programs, and even save lives," said Chairwoman Maloney. "Today's bipartisan passage of the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act brings us one step closer to ensuring that any federal employee who steps forward to report wrongdoing is protected from retaliation. I hope the Senate will quickly take up this commonsense bill."

"When Americans alert the nation to waste, fraud, and abuse by the federal government, they take immense personal, professional, and emotional risks," said Rep. Mace. "The passage of the bipartisan Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act will help ensure these brave citizens who help root out corruption are protected from possible intimidation and retaliation."

The Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act, which is supported by more than 100 organizations, would expand whistleblower protections and clarify that no federal official may interfere with a federal employee's ability to share information with Congress. The bill would also limit disclosure of a whistleblower's identity, prohibit retaliatory investigations, and provide access to jury trials for whistleblowers.

On May 3, 2021, Chairwoman Maloney held a hearing examining the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act and other legislative reforms to improve government transparency and accountability.

On May 4, 2021, Chairwoman Maloney; Ranking Member Nancy Mace; Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations; Rep. Jackie Speier, Co-Chair of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus; Rep. Kathleen Rice; and Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chairwoman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, introduced the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act.

On June 29, 2021, the Oversight Committee voted to approve the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act with bipartisan support.

On December 9, 2021, the House passed the Protecting Our Democracy Act by a bipartisan vote of 220-208, which included provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act.

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