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Washington, D.C. — The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) applauded yesterday’s Senate vote approving key improvements to whistleblower protection for federal employees.

“In order to ensure an effective and responsible government, it is vital to have strong whistleblower protection in place,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said. “I applaud the Senate for taking a step forward and moving closer to providing improved safeguards for federal employees.”

Passed by unanimous consent, the Whistleblower Protection Act (S. 743), introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), will restore and expand protections for federal employees who disclose wrongdoing in the federal government.

Additionally, it offers access to a jury trial for eligible whistleblowers who challenge major disciplinary actions and removes the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals as the only appellate review.

It also expands the channel to make disclosures of classified information to appropriate congressional committees; clarifies protections for those who disclose scientific censorship; and provides a way to challenge security clearance determinations made in retaliation.

“Because court decisions and administrative proceedings have left a legacy of honest federal employees being punished, reforming the whistleblower protection law has become an absolute necessity,” Kelley said. “The time has come to let federal employees know they have Congress’ support in keeping government free from fraud, waste and abuse without reprisal.”

A similar bill (H. 3289) has been introduced in the House of Representatives, but has not been moved out of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Kelley said the NTEU will work with the House members to ensure the bill advances and achieves passage.

NTEU is the nation’s largest independent union of federal workers, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.