Washington D.C. | July 20, 2026 – Today, in a major victory for whistleblower rights and transparency in government procurement, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, H.R.5578.
Introduced by Representatives James Comer (R-KY) and Robert Garcia (D-CA), this landmark legislation strengthens existing anti-retaliation provisions, expands the scope of protected disclosures, and outlaws reprisals by executive branch officials whistleblowers ordered. Analogous legislation co-sponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) unanimously passed the Senate earlier this year.
Under the House and Senate bills,
- Government contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees, their current/former employees, and personal-services contractors are now “protected individuals.”
- Whistleblowers within the intelligence community (IC) or working for IC contractors are no longer exempt from anti-retaliation protections.
- In addition to reporting illegal activity, whistleblowers who refuse unlawful orders are now protected from retaliation.
- Protected disclosures now include evidence of malfeasance related to any Department of Defence (DoD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), or civilian agency contract, subcontract, grant, and/or subgrant.
- Executive branch officials can no longer order contractors to engage in reprisals against protected individuals for making protected disclosures.
- Rights and protections guaranteed by this legislation, including district court access, cannot be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, form, or employment condition, including forced arbitration proceedings.
More than 200 organizations across political affiliations have endorsed these reforms. Stephen Kohn, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Whistleblower Center, lauded these vital reforms expanding protections for those who risk their lives and livelihoods. “With more discretionary spending being directed toward procurement and defense contracting, these provisions are a major, long-overdue step forward for government accountability and fiscal responsibility,” Kohn said. “We’re pleased to see legislators continuing the fight to protect whistleblowers and safeguard taxpayer money from corrupt officials who profit from waste, fraud, and abuse.”
