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 When scientific research is altered or suppressed, government contractors waste millions of taxpayer dollars, or national security documents are falsified, witnesses need to know that they can blow the whistle without reprisals endangering their careers and their lives.
We are close to ending retaliation against those who speak up – and the unmistakable, chilling message that reprisals against whistleblowers sends to all employees that they should keep quiet, or else.
Our new Congress has said passing whistleblower protections will be a priority when it returns in January 2009. We need to send a strong signal of support and make it clear that restoring honesty and accountability to our government is the first step in making real change happen.
You can help! Add your name to our growing list of citizens standing up for those who stand up for us. Tell Congress: Make the government work for us!
Your signature will also keep the President-elect on the road to a transparent administration that promotes government accountability.The Obama-Biden Transition Team released a statement consistent with our campaign's message on change.gov : "Barack Obama will strengthen whistleblower laws to protect federal workers who expose waste, fraud, and abuse of authority in government. Obama will ensure that federal agencies expedite the process for reviewing whistleblower claims and whistleblowers have full access to the courts and due process."
Now is the time to fight for whistleblower protections and end the intimidation. Join more than 200 public interest organizations and thousands of your fellow citizens. Tell our new Congress and President-elect Obama that you support honesty and accountability!
Sign the Citizens’ Whistleblower Petition
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I strongly support more rights and protections for government employees who blow the whistle on waste of our tax dollars, fraud in our government and abuse of power.
Last year, the House and Senate each passed bills to protect federal employees from retaliation when they take steps to ensure more transparency and accountability in our government. But we are still waiting for Congress to agree on a final compromise bill and make our government work better for us. This must be done soon, before members of Congress go home to campaign.
However, the final legislation must include important safeguards in order for the public trust to be kept.
I believe the House’s “Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007” (H.R. 985) offers stronger protections than the Senate’s bill (S. 274) – though the final bill should represent the best of the thoughtful work already done by both chambers. The new law must close important loopholes by expanding protection to national security workers in the FBI and other intelligence agencies, government contractors, and almost 40,000 airport baggage screeners. It also must specifically protect scientists who expose efforts to censor or alter the results of federally funded research. For these and other whistleblowers, the right to genuine due process must be provided, including normal access to courts and remedies when the administrative process fails. Without a jury trial as a last safety net for beleaguered whistleblowers, the new law ultimately will be unenforceable.
I am encouraged that certain members of Congress are championing this critical legislation. I join my fellow citizens in urging all members of Congress to recognize the importance of this opportunity and act now to renew our trust by putting partisan politics aside and passing the strongest bill possible to protect the dedicated public servants who expose government waste, fraud, and abuse on our behalf. |
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