REP. NANCY MACE ON THE PASSAGE OF HER BIPARTISAN WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT

Landmark Bill Will Strengthen Whistleblower Protections

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Nancy Mace and Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2988, the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act of 2021:

“Expanding whistleblower protections to ensure no federal official may interfere with a federal employee’s ability to share information with Congress is critical to identifying waste, fraud, and abuse,”said Rep. Mace.“Whistleblowers serve an important role in keeping our government honest. And in the words of the National Taxpayers Union, this bill is a ‘no-brainer.’”

National Taxpayers Union “No Brainer” bills for Congress to pass in 2022.

Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Carolyn Maloney has issued the following statement: 

“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.”

BACKGROUND:

Among other reforms, the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act will:

• Expand Whistleblower Protections by:
  • Making clear that no federal government employee may interfere with or retaliate against a federal employee sharing information with Congress;
  • Prohibiting agencies from launching retaliatory investigations against employees who blow the whistle; and
  • Prohibiting retaliation against a federal employee for disclosing to a supervisor any violations of law, gross mismanagement or waste, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

• Ensure Due Process and Equitable Relief for Whistleblowers by:
  • Providing timely consideration and appeals for employees who request a delay in adverse personnel actions;
  • Granting whistleblowers access to a jury trial in federal district court if the Merit Systems Protections Board does not issue a decision in 180 days (or 240 days for complex cases); and
  • Clarifying that whistleblowers who prevail are entitled to recover attorney fees and be granted necessary relief to make them whole, such as through training, restoration of seniority, or a promotion consistent with the employee’s record.

• Provide Protections for more Federal Employees by extending Title 5 protections to non-career Senior Executive Service employees, Public Health Service officers or applicants, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officer corps.

ABOUT

Congresswoman Nancy Mace grew up in the Lowcountry. She is the daughter of a retired Army General and retired school teacher. Before being sworn into Congress, Nancy earned accolades as one of the most fiscally conservative members of the South Carolina General Assembly; she’s also one of the most pro-conservation lawmakers in the state of South Carolina. Nancy is the recipient of the 2019 Taxpayer Hero Award from the South Carolina Club for Growth; she has a 100% record of voting to lower taxes. Nancy is also the recipient of the Champion Award from Palmetto Goodwill for her efforts in education and in helping those most in need receive job training; she has a 100 percent rating with Conservation Voters of South Carolina.