[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER APPRECIATION DAY

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today is National Whistleblower 
Appreciation Day on the Hill. So today we celebrate and recognize the 
contributions and sacrifices that whistleblowers make every day for our 
country.
  I have said this many times before, whistleblowers get treated like 
skunks at a picnic. It shouldn't be that way. Whistleblowers are 
patriots. This year is special because it marks the 10th anniversary of 
National Whistleblower Appreciation Day. And I am proud to introduce 
the National Whistleblower Appreciation Day resolution for the 10th 
year in a row along with Senator Wyden and the rest of the Senate 
Whistleblower Protection Caucus.
  As early as the Revolutionary War, the first whistleblower reported 
fraud and misconduct. On July 30, 1778, the Founding Fathers passed the 
first piece of legislation to protect whistleblowers in our country. 
Whistleblowers are critical to the operation of good government. 
Whistleblowers risk their jobs, livelihoods, and reputations when they 
blow the whistle on government waste, fraud, and abuse.
  Recently, VA whistleblowers approached my office and alerted me of 
the Agency's failure to secure veterans' sensitive, private 
information. They also exposed how the failure in security allows for 
staff to learn the identities of whistleblowers, leaving them 
vulnerable to retaliation. DEA whistleblowers also have provided 
important details about alleged contract irregularities and the DEA's 
failure to root out corruption in its foreign operations. The oversight 
that flows from this kind of crucial information can help clean house 
at DEA and save taxpayer money. It can also improve international drug 
interdiction and save lives. Let's also not forget about the IRS 
whistleblowers who have recently testified before Congress regarding 
wrongdoing at the IRS and Justice Department.
  As many know, I have had my fair share of Justice Department 
whistleblowers over the years. Most recently, my public oversight 
activities regarding the Justice Department and FBI shows that more 
have come my way. God bless them all.
  The information that I have made public, whether it is the VA, DEA, 
DOJ, or IRS, it is only because of whistleblowers that I am able to do 
the work. The government hides information that the American people 
ought to know about. Simply put, that is wrong and we must ensure that 
all whistleblowers are fully protected from retaliation and championed 
for their work.
  Accordingly, it is critically important that all Federal Agencies 
promote openness and transparency. They must also ensure Federal 
employees know their rights to blow the whistle on wrongdoing, 
including to Congress. Federal Agencies must protect their employees 
from retaliation and take appropriate corrective actions against those 
who retaliate against whistleblowers. For me, there is no middle ground 
when it comes to whistleblowers. They must be protected and fought for. 
Full stop.
  This year, I introduced the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act to expand 
protections for whistleblowers and ensure SEC whistleblower awards are 
made in a timely manner. This bill ensures that these whistleblowers 
would be fully protected if they report wrongdoing to a supervisor. 
Since we created the SEC's Whistleblower Program in 2010, it has been a 
massive success. The SEC reported receiving a record number of 
whistleblower tips in 2022--over 12,000.
  This year, I also introduced the IRS Whistleblower Program 
Improvement Act. And this week, I have introduced the False Claims 
Amendments Act and the CFTC Whistleblower Fund Improvement Act.
  There is still a lot of work to be done. In April, I wrote to 
President Biden requesting him to honor whistleblowers by hosting a 
Rose Garden ceremony on Whistleblower Appreciation Day. I have asked 
every President since President Reagan to hold a Rose Garden ceremony 
to honor whistleblowers. No President has done so.
  The task of supporting whistleblowers doesn't start and stop on 
Whistleblower Appreciation Day. It is a year-round job. Whistleblowers 
are brave men and women who perform an invaluable public service. 
Again, they are patriots.
  Together, one day we are going to get that Rose Garden ceremony.

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