Bill · S. 1154· Senate(119-S-1154)
Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/26/2025
- Last activity
- 3/26/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Richard Blumenthal
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025 aims to protect people who work for, used to work for, or are applying to work for Federal agencies, contractors, and grantees. Specifically, it protects those whose right to petition or give information to Congress is denied or interfered with. The bill updates existing laws to provide various administrative remedies for these individuals. It establishes specific procedures for FBI and intelligence community employees to seek corrective action. Furthermore, it creates a private right of action for certain individuals to bring legal action in district courts. This ensures that those who face retaliation for communicating with Congress have specific paths for relief.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill enhances transparency and accountability by protecting whistleblowers who communicate with Congress.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The bill provides clear administrative and judicial avenues for individuals to seek redress for retaliation.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+5
The bill protects the right of individuals to petition and furnish information to Congress.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Legal Redress for Federal Workers: Employees, former employees, or applicants for Federal agencies can seek corrective action if they are aggrieved by a violation of their rights (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Special Protections for Intelligence and Law Enforcement Personnel: FBI employees and those within the intelligence community have specific paths to seek corrective action under the National Security Act of 1947 (Section 2(b)(1)(B) and (C)).
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Protection for Contracted Workers: Individuals working for contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, or personal services contractors are provided with paths to seek corrective action (Section 2(b)(1)(D)).
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Access to Judicial Review: If a final decision on a corrective action request is not issued within 180 days, or if relief is denied, individuals may bring an action at law or equity in a U.S. district court (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Financial and Professional Remedies: Individuals who successfully sue may receive relief including 200 percent of lost wages, 100 percent of lost benefits, reinstatement, costs, attorney fees, and compensatory damages (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Right to a Jury Trial: Covered individuals have the right to have their legal actions tried by a jury upon their request (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text regarding burdens placed on individuals.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Improves Due Process+6Improves Freedom Of Speech+5
- 4/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island