For Immediate Release:

2/25/2020

Sen. Blumenthal Introduces Bill Protecting Aviation Whistleblowers

Government Accountability Project Endorses Aviation Whistleblowing Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Restoring Aviation Accountability Act of 2019, which bolsters protections and incentives for a comprehensive class of aviation whistleblowers. The bill affords employees, contractors, and subcontractors of aircraft manufacturers, aircraft repair stations, and the Federal Aviation Administration protections from retaliation for reporting alleged violations of federal aviation safety requirements under the AIR21 Whistleblower Protection Program. It also incentivizes whistleblowers to report wrongdoing through a modest bounty system and prohibits gags against these individuals’ protected speech.

Government Accountability Project’s Deputy Legislative Director Irvin McCullough stated:

“The Restoring Aviation Accountability Act of 2019 upgrades aviation whistleblowing protections to parity with all other federal whistleblowing statutes passed in the last two decades. Beyond implementing an incentive system for reporting and ensuring individuals aren’t gagged from reporting wrongdoing, the bill offers best practice retaliation protections for an expanded class of whistleblowers, and in certain cases allows these folks to make their case before a jury of their peers. Government Accountability Project is proud to endorse this legislation and heartily recommends its passage. We thank Senator Blumenthal and his staff for their dedication to protecting and encouraging overseers’ eyes and ears on the ground and in the air.”

Contact: Andrew Harman, Director of Communications

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (202) 457-0034 ext. 125

Government Accountability Project

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

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