Washington, D.C. - 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 to mark National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, commemorated on July 30, 2022.
“In celebration of National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, I recognize the brave federal employees who have helped hold government accountable and speak truth to power. These voices are at the heart of why I introduced the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act, which would strengthen protections for these federal employees and improve existing law to prevent and address retaliation. I look forward to the House swiftly passing our bipartisan bill soon," stated Chairwoman Maloney.
“We must continue to be sure the brave individuals who expose waste, fraud, and abuse in our government feel protected when they come forward," said Rep. Mace. “On this National Whistleblowers Day, we celebrate those who have taken immense personal, professional, and emotional risks, and ask our colleagues to support the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act to help ensure future whistleblowers aren’t victimized or silenced when they seek out justice."
A letter signed by 101 organizations praised Chairwoman Maloney’s efforts to protect whistleblowers and called for the swift passage of her legislation, H.R. 2988, the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act. The letter noted that the bipartisan bill is “landmark legislation, both for freedom of speech and government accountability" and “would upgrade the rights of federal employees who blow the whistle to match those available for the private sector."
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 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 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.
