Group proposes bill to strengthen whistleblower protections

[cascadiance]

Well, it looks like Sibel Edmonds and the NSWBC are fighting back constructively. Call to action to all DU members here to call their congress critters and get them to support this bill! I'm going to call Francine Busby and hang a campaign contribution in front of her if she commits to helping pass this bill once she gets elected in a month or so... Making retaliation against whistleblowers a criminal offense would be a real nice weapon for Fitz to use on some of these bastards that are trying to cover crap up in the Plame investigation too!

From GovExec.com:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=33003&dcn=todaysnews

December 13, 2005

Group proposes bill to strengthen whistleblower protections

By Chris Strohm
[email protected]

A coalition of national security whistleblowers has proposed legislation that would fundamentally change how complaints are adjudicated and would make retaliation against those who report wrongdoing a criminal offense.

Language drafted by the coalition would cover all federal employees and contractors, do away with the 1989 Whistleblower Protection Act and prevent the Office of Special Counsel from adjudicating whistleblower cases. Government Executive obtained a copy of the proposed bill; the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition does not plan to release the document until January.

The bill is part of the coalition's ongoing push to obtain stronger protections for government workers and contractors who report waste, fraud or abuse. The coalition was established in 2004 and has more than 60 members. Most were retaliated against after reporting wrongdoing and either lost their jobs or are litigating their complaints.

Members are meeting with congressional staff to find lawmakers to formally introduce the legislation. The coalition also is asking other organizations to back the bill.

...

Let congress know that THE issue we will be voting for is how they support giving us the TRUTH!!!



http://www.cafepress.com/sibel.40085256

[cascadiance]

1. kick for the morning crowd...

Normally I don't bump my own posts, but this one I think is on a very important piece of proposed legislation that isn't being talked about yet to help whistleblowers and perhaps folks like Patrick Fitzgerald getting more people to testify for him and expose the wrongdoing going on in government now.

[OKthatsIT]

2. Is this set for 'after 2006'?

Because it aint going anywhere, with what we have in Congress today.

[cascadiance]

3. You're right... with the current visibility it has now!

But if we help get it visible. I already contacted my "potential" congress person here (should know in a month or two soon when the special election happens for Cunningham's seat).

Some folks say that impeachment is impossible too. But many that don't want to play along (even if they don't want to), may feel forced to do so if they want to keep their jobs in 2006, especially if we call them out on the carpet on this.