{"id":1700,"date":"2012-08-17T15:47:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-17T15:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/multiracial.com\/wp\/index.php\/2012\/08\/17\/coalition-letter-to-congress-regarding-whistelblower-reforms\/"},"modified":"2016-12-22T00:57:43","modified_gmt":"2016-12-22T00:57:43","slug":"coalition-letter-to-congress-regarding-whistelblower-reforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/multiracial.com\/index.php\/2012\/08\/17\/coalition-letter-to-congress-regarding-whistelblower-reforms\/","title":{"rendered":"Coalition Letter to Congress Regarding Whistleblower Reforms"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n141 Diverse Groups Support Swift<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Action to Restore Strong, Comprehensive Whistleblower Rights<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

An Open Letter to Members of Congress<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

August 17, 2012<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The undersigned organizations and businesses write to urge completion of the landmark, decades-long legislative effort to restore credible whistleblower rights for federal employees.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

We support legislation providing genuine protection for public employees who serve the American public by risking their careers to protect taxpayers. Whistleblower protection is a foundation for any change the public can trust, whether the issue relates to economic recovery, civil rights and civil liberties, prescription drug safety, environmental protection, infrastructure spending, national health insurance, or foreign policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

In May 2012, the Senate unanimously passed the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA) for the fourth time since 2006. It is well past time to finish the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Unfortunately, every month that passes means the public is deprived the benefit of disclosures from federal government whistleblowers about fraud, waste or abuses that could remain ongoing. On average, more than 15 whistleblowers a month lose initial decisions from administrative hearings at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)<\/strong>, and less than one prevails.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Whistleblower Protection Act was last restored in 1994, and has since fallen victim to judicial activism. The MSPB found that federal whistleblowers were nine times more likely to be fired in 2010 compared to 1992. This culture of vulnerability maximizes government secrecy, which in turn breeds corruption.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Under current law, federal employees are\u00a0<\/span>not<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>eligible for whistleblower protections if they:<\/span><\/p>\n