Try, Try Again: Whistleblower Protection Bill Reintroduced

Whistleblowers are among the most important sources for blockbuster stories about waste, fraud, and abuse by the federal government. You'd think they would be lionized as national heroes, but often they are punished, fired, or even prosecuted for their pains. Federal whistleblower protection law has been de-fanged by a succession of decisions by the courts and agencies. Last year, legislation to put new teeth in federal whistleblower protections failed when a single senator put a secret hold on it late in the session.

The good news is that the current Congress, the 112th, will try again. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) has introduced a bill, S 743, the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2011, to restart the legislative effort.

• "Make It Safe Coalition Applauds Re-Introduction of Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act in Senate," Project on Government Oversight, April 7, 2011.
• Make It Safe Campaign.
• Blow the Whistle (WNYC/NPR On the Media).
• Previous Story: WatchDog of January 12, 2011.