July 30, 2020 was designated National Whistleblower Appreciation Day. The U.S. Senate adopted a resolution (S. Res. 634) sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley and cosponsored by 18 bipartisan colleagues. The resolution aims to encourage federal agencies to acknowledge employees who call attention to fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of laws and regulations, and to remind employees of their rights as whistleblowers.

In a letter to United States Marshals Service (USMS) Director Donald Washington, FMA's USMS Chapter 373, led by Chapter President Dave Barnes and Vice President for Law Enforcement Operations Jason Wojdylo, continued to recognize the bravery and contributions of whistleblowers. On this National Whistleblower Appreciation Day in 2020, FMA was proud to stand with Chapter 373 in its ongoing effort to make progress and increase awareness of whistleblower rights at USMS and across the federal workforce, and we are grateful for Senator Grassley's leadership in Congress on this issue. Click here to read Chapter 373's letter. 

FMA Chapter 373 has been at the forefront of this noble and essential pursuit for many years, exceeding FMA’s motto of advocating excellence in public service. It represents managers within the USMS with a strident and clear voice, actively and relentlessly pushing for an ethical culture within the agency. Chapter 373 worked tirelessly with former Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley and his staff on a three-year investigation of wrongdoing within the USMS. The investigation culminated in a 21 page memo – with 409 pages of supporting material, much of it coming from FMA members – detailing allegations of wasteful and reckless spending, leadership mismanagement, favoritism, unfair hiring practices, and lack of accountability.

Additionally, FMA is following new bills that have been introduced in Congress to strengthen whistleblower protections for federal employees. On August 4, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) introduced the Whistleblower Protection Improvement Act (H.R. 7935). The legislation would, “would clarify that no federal official may interfere with a federal employee’s ability to share information with Congress. The bill would also limit disclosure of a whistleblower’s identity, prohibit retaliatory investigations, expand whistleblower protections to all non-career appointees in the Senior Executive Service, and provide access to jury trials for whistleblowers.”

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Whistleblower Protection Caucus, cosponsored the legislation, which has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

On the same day, Chairwoman Maloney and Rep. Connolly also introduced the Federal Employee Access to Information Act (H.R. 7936), which would protect federal employees against retaliation for making information requests under the Freedom of Information Act or the Privacy Act. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced companion legislation (S. 4438) in the Senate on August 5.

To track the progress of these whistleblower protection bills, please click here.