Whistleblowers
Federal disability employment program faced widespread compliance problems, whistleblower investigation finds
The AbilityOne Commission countered that “many of the compliance concerns cited by [the Office of Special Counsel] occurred during periods of operational disruption, including the pandemic.”
Watchdog: NSA’s NDAs don’t comply with whistleblower law
As the Trump administration weighs instituting a standardized non-disclosure agreement for employees across government, one agency that already uses them routinely fails to educate workers about their whistleblower rights.
Lawmakers, unions and civil society groups urge withdrawal of governmentwide NDA plan
The Office of Personnel Management received more than 30,000 comments on its plan to require federal workers sign nondisclosure agreements, which critics said would violate the First Amendment and chill whistleblowers.
NDA proposal for feds draws scrutiny on Capitol Hill
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorth, D-Ill., expressed “serious concern” about the Office of Personnel Management’s controversial proposal, including its impact on whistleblowers and employees who report wrongdoing.
Bipartisan IRS whistleblower reform bill gains momentum in Senate after House approval
The IRS said that it has collected around $7.5 billion due to whistleblowers since 2007.
FAA surges medical staff after whistleblower alleges issues with certifying pilots and controllers
Hundreds of pilots may have been flying without proper medical clearance, the whistleblower had alleged.
Coast Guard officer promotion advanced by Senate Republicans despite IG finding of whistleblower retaliation
Commander Jesse Millard was approved in committee on a party-line vote, despite Senate Democrats demanding that his promotion be withdrawn.
IRS whistleblower program set for possible overhaul after bipartisan House vote
The measure would reshape how claims move through the system, how court reviews are handled and how payments are ultimately made. Over its history, the program has recovered about $7.5 billion.
New bills would extend whistleblower protections to more feds
The measures specifically deal with civil servants who investigate and report wrongdoing in their normal duties and ones who work for government corporations.
Whistleblower report about waste leads to downsizing at one agency, OSC reports
The Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals increased staffing to deal with a backlog of appeals, but an individual flagged that the expanded workforce was not readjusted when case levels returned to normal, resulting in about $30 million in unnecessary costs.
Gabbard’s office denies wrongdoing amid scrutiny over whistleblower complaint
ODNI said she acted within her authority in response to reports describing an NSA-intercepted phone call tied to the case.
Featured eBooks
Safeguarding the federal merit system at the Office of Special Counsel
COMMENTARY | A senior OSC attorney argues the agency’s work remains critical to protecting the federal merit system.
CISA tells staff to not speak with reporters, internal email shows
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy told Nextgov/FCW when asked for comment.
Trump administration resumes funding for inspectors general hub after previously blocking it
OMB’s move to restore CIGIE funding until Jan. 30 comes as the president has already fired or replaced more than 20 agency inspectors general.
Whistleblower organizations applaud withdrawal of Trump’s ‘unfit’ nominee to lead oversight office
Media reports in recent weeks found that Paul Ingrassia, who has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, has been accused of sexual harassment and sent racist text messages.
Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence
Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.
FBI agents would get increased whistleblower protections under bipartisan bill
The measure’s sponsor, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has previously slammed the FBI over its enforcement of existing whistleblower protections.
Veterans Affairs whistleblowers may not be getting settlement benefits due to a lack of oversight, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office warned that VA needs to do a better job of tracking whistleblower settlement agreements.
Senate panel advances bills to protect whistleblowers, fix CBP workers’ retirement benefits
More than 1,300 CBP officers spent more than a decade contributing toward their retirement annuities for which they were not eligible, due to a mistake the agency made in 2008.
OSC recognizes federal mine safety employees who blew the whistle about skipped inspections
The award comes as watchdog organizations have warned that Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel, the agency that protects government whistleblowers, could weaken oversight.
