Federal Agents Urge Senate to Pass Federal Whistleblower Provision in Economic Stimulus

In order to encourage would-be whistleblowers, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is asking President Barack Obama to restore the careers of federal law enforcement and national security whistleblowers

After abiding by their oath to uphold the laws of the Constitution, this small select group of federal law enforcement and counter-terrorism agents suffered unwarranted retaliation due to the ineffective and outdated federal Whistleblower Protection Act currently in effect

If the public expects federal employees to report wrongdoing in the future, restoring our shattered careers will send would-be whistleblowers a clear message that doing the right thing won't end their careers.

(PRWEB) February 4, 2009 -- In a bipartisan show of support, Representatives Todd Russell Platts (PA) and Chris Van Hollen's (MD) critical whistleblower protection amendment to the Economic Stimulus bill (H.R. 1) passed the House. The Platts / Van Hollen amendment was the only bipartisan amendment voted on by the House during its debate of the stimulus bill; it was accepted without objection. This long awaited legislation will strengthen and expand protections for federal law enforcement and national security employees who report waste, fraud, abuse and danger to public safety and national security. It is imperative that all members of the Senate unite to support this important legislation.

Since this legislation is not retroactive, FLEOA has joined a growing number of organizations that are asking President Barack Obama to enact an Executive Order that would provide immediate relief and restore the careers of the brave men and women who had the courage to expose wrongdoing and national security failures of the past.

"After abiding by their oath to uphold the laws of the Constitution, this small select group of federal law enforcement and counter-terrorism agents suffered unwarranted retaliation due to the ineffective and outdated federal Whistleblower Protection Act currently in effect," said Jon Adler, FLEOA's National President.

An aviation law enforcement officer terminated for exposing a dangerous cost-cutting plan that resulted from budget mismanagement, former Federal Air Marshal Robert MacLean states, "If the public expects federal employees to report wrongdoing in the future, restoring our shattered careers will send would-be whistleblowers a clear message that doing the right thing won't end their careers."

Founded in 1977, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is the largest nonpartisan, professional association, representing exclusively federal law enforcement officers. FLEOA represents more than 25,000 federal agents from over 65 different federal law enforcement agencies. FLEOA is a member of the National Law Enforcement Steering Committee and the Executive Board of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

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whistleblowers robert maclean bail-out funds economic stimulus bill todd russell platts chris van hollen federal law enforcement officers association troubled asset relief program funds tarp funds national security

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