U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act H.R.5578 championed by MISC & allies.
July 20, 2026
WASHINGTON—In a major win for government accountability, the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act H.R.5578—landmark legislation introduced by Representatives James Comer (R-KY) and Robert Garcia (D-CA). This win comes after a unanimous Senate vote for analogous legislation, S.4631, co-sponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Charles Grassley (R-IA). Differences between the two chambers about the scope of protection must be resolved, as the House bill does not cover Intelligence Community contractors.
For over five years, the bi-partisan Make it Safe Coalition and Government Accountability Project have championed this makeover for dated contractor rights in a once-landmark 2012 law that has been gutted by loopholes and hostile court rulings. Depending on the year, two to three times as many contractors as civil service employees spend taxpayers’ money. The stakes have increased sharply with over $4 trillion in new spending since the pandemic, with much of it going to contractors.
Legislation unanimously agreed by both House and Senate includes:
- Protection against retaliation for contractors, as well as their employees;
- Protection for exposing misconduct in international contracts;
- Protection against blacklisting;
- Protection for refusing to violate the law;
- Restoration of court access with jury trials to enforce rights; and
- Liability for government officials who pressure contractors to retaliate.
More than 200 organizations across political affiliations have endorsed these reforms and applauded the unanimous restoration of bi-partisan congressional support for those who risk their professional lives to fight fraud, waste, and abuse.
“Government contractors are the foot soldiers for President Trump’s war on fraud. Whistleblowers can thank the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer’s (R-KY) leadership for this win.” stated Government Accountability Project Legal Director Tom Devine. “However, the House and Senate must still reach consensus on the reform’s scope. Once that occurs, government contractor whistleblowers will have America’s strongest anti-retaliation rights.”
Contact: press@whistleblower.org
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