POGO to Congress: Five Years After Landmark Whistleblower Bill, Enforcement is a Problem

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2017

Contact: Ari Goldberg ([email protected]; 240.678.9102)

WASHINGTON—In testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) said the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, passed in 2012, has made it easier for federal employees to report wrongdoing, but protections could be strengthened in key ways.

Elizabeth Hempowicz, POGO Policy Counsel, said:

“Recent events have raised questions about what protections current federal employees have under the law. Efforts to prevent government employees from communicating with Congress and the public could represent a serious threat to public health and safety. Continued Congressional oversight is necessary to make sure that this important provision continues to be implemented properly.

The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act has shown that having safe and meaningful channels to disclose waste, fraud, and abuse does not disrupt government but strengthens its ability to address problems within the agencies.

That’s important because whistleblowers are our first line of oversight within the federal government. However, further legislation is necessary to create protected channels for all federal employees and contractors to expose wrongdoing so it can be corrected.”

Read Hempowicz’s full testimony.