Speier, Mace Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Expand Protections for FBI Employee Whistleblowers

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Congressional Whistleblower Protection Caucus, and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral FBI Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act to ensure employees at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are afforded the same whistleblower protections as other federal employees. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

"The reason whistleblowers are able to blow the whistle -- and protect taxpayers' money -- is because they know they're protected from payback and bullying from their superiors. The fact that FBI employees don't have whistleblower protection means they're unable to report waste, fraud, and abuse. FBI employees must be treated like every other federal law enforcement employee, who have saved taxpayers at least $43 billion since 2011," Rep. Speier said. "This legislation will ensure that happens and I'm pleased that I was able to get this essential reform included in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act, and will fight for it to remain in the final conference agreement."

"Whistleblowers are brave Americans who alert our nation to waste, fraud, and abuse," said Rep. Mace. "Whistleblower protection for FBI employees ensures these courageous citizens will feel safe to step forward and help protect taxpayer money. It's only logical FBI employees are granted the same protections as all other federal law enforcement employees, and the FBI Whistleblower Protection Act grants these protections and will help continue to encourage whistleblowers to step forward and root out corruption."

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