The "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025" enhances protection for defense and non-defense contractor employees who disclose certain information. Key provisions include shielding individuals from reprisal for refusing to violate laws or regulations, disclosing evidence of mismanagement or waste, and addressing public health or safety dangers. The Act expands protection to various entities, including state governments, tribal organizations, and the intelligence community. Additionally, it prohibits the waiver of rights and remedies through any form of employment agreement. The bill aims to safeguard those who disclose misconduct or threats to public welfare within government contracts and grants.
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025
This bill expands whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and grant recipients to include the act of refusing to obey an unlawful order and to apply these protections to members of the intelligence community and other governmental employees.
Current law protects employees of federal contractors or grant recipients from a reprisal (i.e., discharge, demotion, or discrimination) for disclosing evidence to Congress or another appropriate official of certain misconduct involving federal contracts, grants, or funds. The bill expands these protections to include an employee's refusal to obey an order that would require the employee to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to any contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. The bill also specifies that these protections apply to employees of federal contractors or grant recipients who are current or former members of the intelligence community or employees of state, local, or tribal governments.
Further, the bill specifies that these protections may not be waived in a predispute arbitration agreement and renders any such agreement unenforceable.
The bill specifies that an executive branch official may not request a federal contractor or grant recipient to engage in a reprisal against a protected employee, and it authorizes federal agencies to propose disciplinary action against officials that do so.