Cummings Applauds Senate Passage of “Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012”

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement in response to the Senate's passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (S. 743), which will strengthen protections for federal employees who disclose government waste, fraud, abuse, or illegal activity:

"I look forward to the President signing this landmark legislation, which will significantly expand the protections available to government whistleblowers who risk their careers to challenge abuses of power and the mismanagement of government resources.

"This bill will protect all lawful disclosures of waste, fraud, and abuse, correcting court decisions that narrowed the scope of protected disclosures and impeded efforts to protect all whistleblowers. It also provides equity by giving whistleblower protections to Transportation Security Administration employees, which will encourage the disclosure of issues that could threaten the safety of our airports.

"I will keep fighting for protections that are not in this bill, but today, let us celebrate a victory for whistleblowers and continue to stand up for good government."

On September 28, 2012, the House of Representatives unanimously passed S. 743, with an amendment.

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