Bipartisan Bill Cosponsored by Senator Hassan to Strengthen Protections for Whistleblowers Sent to President for Signature

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan bill, cosponsored by Senator Maggie Hassan to strengthen protections for whistleblowers, passed the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and is now on its way to President Trump’s desk. The bipartisan Whistleblower Protection Coordination Act will permanently extend the program requiring a dedicated official in each inspector general office to focus on whistleblower protection issues. The bill changes the title of these officials from ombudsman to “Whistleblower Protection Coordinator” so that potential whistleblowers better understand the role of this position and authorizes Whistleblower Protection Coordinators to more actively promote and protect whistleblowing to employees in their agency.  

Additionally, as a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Hassan voted to approve a bipartisan measure to support and protect federal government whistleblowers. The bipartisan All Circuit Review Act strengthens protections and support for whistleblowers by permanently extending the authority for federal employees to appeal a decision from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) at any federal circuit court of appeals, rather than only at the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. The bill has now passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. 

“Whistleblowers play a critical role in our democracy and we must protect them when they come forward to expose wrongdoing.” Senator Hassan said. “I am pleased that these two bipartisan bills, which will strengthen protections for whistleblowers and give them a safe platform to expose the truth, are on their way to the President’s desk, and I urge him to sign them without delay.”

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