Next Friday, June 27, the Make It Safe Coalition (MISC) will participate in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA). In 2012, MISC completed a marathon campaign to overhaul the gutted WPA through passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA). That law restored Congress’ original intent to protect federal employees against workplace retaliation when they disclose waste, fraud, abuse, gross mismanagement, and public health and safety threats. Yet, a recent Federal News Radio surveyfound that a mere 16 percent of respondents feel protected enough to blow the whistle on wrongdoing.

The WPEA is a significant advance in federal whistleblower rights. As is the case with all laws, however, it comes with limitations and shortcomings that leave federal employees unclear about their rights. Many questions remain for federal employees. Does the WPA now protect intelligence community (IC) whistleblowers? To what extent does current law protect whistleblowers against criminal retaliation? Are federal contractors now covered under the WPA?

The AMA on June 27th will be an opportunity for the public to explore these questions by posing them directly to Government Accountability Project (GAP) Legal Director Tom Devine, widely recognized as one of the country’s top experts on whistleblower law. He’s prepared to answer questions about the breadth and boundaries of existing whistleblower rights, and will arm the public with tools to engage in whistleblower advocacy (by joining MISC legislative campaigns).

Throughout history, thousands of whistleblowers have risked their livelihoods and personal security in order to disclose government abuses that betray the public trust. Yet, only a handful of these brave civil servants have been able to protect themselves under the law. Whistleblowers have not only made a difference through their disclosures; they have also been on the frontlines of MISC legislative actions, forging a safer path for future truth-tellers. Take the case of the following whistleblowers turned activists:

  • Cathy Harris, a former senior inspector for the U.S. Customs Service, disclosed that her agency was engaging in discriminatory racial profiling of African American females. Harris’ revelations resulted in a damning U.S. Government Accountability Office study of the abuses and federal legislation to reform these unconstitutional practices. Yet, Harris was put on unpaid leave and lost her government job for speaking truth to power. Since then, she has published a book about her whistleblowing and is a now a full-time motivational speaker and advocate for justice.
  • Robert MacLean, a former Federal Air Marshal, successfully blew the whistle on shocking agency plans that sought to cancel long distance air marshal coverage during a suicide terrorist hijacking alert. After public outcry and congressional outrage, DHS withdrew the order, and said it all had been a mistake. A potential terrorist hijacking was successfully averted; yet, Maclean was fired for warning the public about the threat. His landmark case will be heard by the Supreme Court.
  • Franz Gayl, a Marine Corps science adviser, exposed the fact that the Corps ignored an urgent request from troops in Iraq for vehicles that are better protected against improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs. After the media reported on Gayl’s disclosures, the Pentagon shipped thousands of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) to Iraq. Despite official vindication, he suffered severe whistleblower retaliation, including a criminal investigation. Today Gayl remains a dedicated civil servant and an active participant in campaigns to strengthen free-speech rights.

Join the Make It Safe Coalition AMA on Friday, June 27 to ask your questions about existing whistleblower protections and ways that you can get involved!

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The Make It Safe Coalition is a non-partisan network whose members pursue a wide variety of missions that span defense, homeland security, doctors and patient advocates, natural disasters, scientific freedom, consumer hazards, and corruption in government contracting and procurement. MISC is united in the cause of protecting those in government and the private sector who honor their duties to serve and warn the public. Steering Committee members of MISC include the American Federation of Government Employees, GAP, Project On Government Oversight, Public Citizen, Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Whistleblower Liaison for Pacifica/ACORN 8.

 

Shann Devine is the Legislative Director & Investigator for the Government Accountability Project, the nation’s leading whistleblowerprotection and advocacy organization.