Dear Readers,
Today your urgent help is needed. It is urgent that everyone reading this article act to prevent back-room dealing from stopping critical whistleblower protection!
Had citizen whistleblowers been able to speak freely, the current banking and mortgage meltdown would have been avoided. Now, more than ever, Congress must pass protection for average citizens to speak the truth.
After eight years of relentless work to strengthen the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA), we are at the moment of truth. Thanks to your support for whistleblower rights for government employees, a bipartisan group of Senate offices recently came to an agreement on a reconciliation bill, and they are attempting to pass their legislation and send it to a supportive House of Representatives for final passage before Congress leaves to campaign at the end of the week.
The much-improved compromise bill is being offered now for approval by unanimous consent. However, more than one anonymous Republican office has placed a "secret hold" on the bill - halting this good government effort in the end game. It is no small irony that senators are not willing to be held accountable for blocking a government accountability bill!
Time is short to remove these holds. Public Citizen and allies are on the Hill visiting key offices today to see whether they are supporting this critical reform, and will be reporting back if they find out who is holding this bill.
We need your help! Please call the offices that we are visiting to smoke out the secret holds and ensure these senators are supporting accountability.
We have no way of knowing for sure which offices have placed holds on the bill - but our legislative team is seeking assurances from those listed below.
This reform could not be timelier as Congress and the nation face a crisis of accountability on Wall Street and in government. We must act now to provide employees on the front lines witnessing waste, fraud and abuse the protections they need to come forward.
Please call the following offices as a concerned taxpayer, asking if the Senator has placed a hold, and if so, insist that the hold be lifted (language below):
Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO)
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY)
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-NC)
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Please call the Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121 to be directed to the above Senate offices or <http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp>go here to find a direct number, with the following talking points:
I am calling Senator X today as a concerned constituent and taxpayer to ask if the Senator is objecting to a critical government accountability bill to strengthen protections for federal employees when they witness waste, fraud and abuse.
Is the Senator holding, blocking or otherwise objecting to passage of Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act?
Please tell the Senator and relevant staff that I called today to urge immediate passage of the amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act being offered now.
Thank you.
After your call, let us know what you learn by emailing us at action@citizen.org.
For more information on the comprised whistleblower legislation, learn more at <Thanks for your support and efforts. Together, we can make a difference.
In thanks,
The Congress Watch Action Team
Public Citizen