The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Stephen M. Kohn
David K. Colapinto
(202) 342-6980
Lindsey M. Williams
(202) 342-1903
lmw@whistleblowers.org

Key Whistleblower Oversight Provisions Should Not Be Cut From the Final Stimulus Bill

Key whistleblower oversight and accountability provisions should not be removed from the stimulus legislation. The Platts/Van Hollen amendment
to the House version of the stimulus bill would extend meaningful
whistleblower protections to all federal employees and it should be
included in the stimulus bill.

WASHINGTON

Key whistleblower oversight and accountability provisions should not be removed from the stimulus legislation. The Platts/Van Hollen amendment
to the House version of the stimulus bill would extend meaningful
whistleblower protections to all federal employees and it should be
included in the stimulus bill.

Government and private
industry
have acknowledged that whistleblowers are the best way to detect waste, fraud and abuse.

"It
would be a shame if Congress passed a massive stimulus spending bill
without
meaningful protections for all employees who are responsible for
protecting taxpayer money, " said Stephen M. Kohn, President National
Whistleblowers Center.

"Congress
must meet the public's demand for oversight and accountability," added
Kohn. "Congress must immediately pass whistleblower protections so
that employees are not afraid to report waste, fraud and abuse."

Since 1988, the NWC and attorneys associated with it have supported whistleblowers in the courts and before Congress and achieved victories for environmental protection, government contract fraud, nuclear safety and government and corporate accountability.