Clearance Protections for Whistle-Blowers Advance; Courts Would be Given Role in Clearance Decisions

The U.S. Senate has approved the Federal Employees Protection of Disclosures Act), legislation protecting the security clearance of Federal employees who reveal government waste, fraud, and abuse.

According to an article in the December 19, 2007, Washington Post, “the bill would protect federal employees who make any disclosure, permit employees to share classified information with members of Congress, and protect whistle-blowers whose security clearances are revoked because of retaliation.”

The White House reportedly objects to parts of the House and Senate bills, including provisions that would allow judicial review of executive branch decisions to revoke security clearances.

Because there are differences between the House and Senate versions, negotiators will begin work, probably next year, on a compromise, a congressional aide said.

Filed Under: Reform, Laws & Regulations, Adverse Actions