[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 1989

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, thirty years ago today, on April 10, 
1989, one of the most critically important federal ethics laws in our 
history, the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), was enacted. As we 
mark the anniversary of the WPA, I would like to give special 
recognition to this federal statute that has empowered Congressional 
oversight and assisted our work over the years.
   The WPA protects whistleblowers who work for the federal government 
from retaliation for reporting activity constituting a violation of 
law, rules, or regulations, or mismanagement, fraud, waste, and abuse, 
or substantial danger to public health and safety. A federal agency 
violates the WPA if it takes or threatens to take a retaliatory 
personnel action against an employee who makes a protected disclosure.
   On this 30th anniversary of the WPA, we honor the contributions of 
the brave men and women who report wrongdoing despite great risks to 
their careers and personal lives as a result of retaliation.
   Without the WPA, very few whistleblowers would be willing to come 
forward. Congress relies on the WPA to fulfill its Constitutional duty 
to provide checks and balances on the Executive Branch--the very root 
of our democracy. This past February, my Committee issued an interim 
staff report raising serious concerns about White House efforts to rush 
the transfer of highly sensitive U.S. nuclear technology to Saudi 
Arabia in potential violation of the Atomic Energy Act and without 
Congressional review as required by law. The Committee's investigation 
was based on information that we received from multiple whistleblowers.
   We also rely on the WPA to help safeguard our national security. 
Recently, a whistleblower working inside the White House Security 
Office was interviewed by the Committee about the dysfunctions in the 
White House that presented dangers to national security. This 
whistleblower ``informed the Committee that during the Trump 
Administration, she and other career officials adjudicated denials of 
dozens of applications for security clearances that were later 
overturned.'' She explained the reason she came forward, stating: ``I 
would not be doing a service to myself, my country, or my children if I 
sat back knowing that the issues that we have could impact national 
security.''
   My Committee would not have been able to conduct these oversight 
investigations without these whistleblowers, and these whistleblowers 
would not have come forward if they did not have the protections of the 
WPA.
   We have made significant progress in protecting public servants who 
shine a light on corruption in the federal government, but we are not 
satisfied with the status quo. Congress must continue to ensure that 
agencies are following the existing law and also identify ways to 
improve the law to better serve the needs of our country.

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