Washington, D.C. -Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5314, Protecting Our Democracy Act.
“With today’s House passage of the Protecting Our Democracy Act, we are sending a clear message that no President -regardless of political party- is above the law. I’m proud to have helped lead this landmark bill to preserve our democracy, restore accountability to the American people, and protect those who are brave enough to speak truth to power."
The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive package that will restore the federal government’s system of checks and balances, strengthen accountability and transparency, and protect America’s elections from foreign interference. This legislative package also includes several of Chairwoman Maloney’s provisions, including reforms from H.R. 2662, the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, H.R. 2988, the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act, and H.R. 6062, the Hatch Act Accountability Act.
* The Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act will increase the independence of Inspectors General (IGs), protect IGs from political retaliation, and provide IGs the tools needed to perform thorough investigations. This bill includes a critical reform that would restore and enhance IG independence by requiring that an IG can only be removed for a documented cause, based on a defined list of nonpartisan reasons such as a knowing violation of the law, abuse of authority, or gross mismanagement.
* The Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act will strengthen protections for whistleblowers. The bill clarifies that no federal official may interfere with a federal employee’s ability to provide information to Congress, limits disclosure of a whistleblower’s identity, and ensures they can challenge retaliation in court, including access to a jury trial.
* The Hatch Act Accountability Act will strengthen enforcement and penalties for political appointees who violate the Hatch Act, which is intended to protect the government from political interference.
