Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has recently become more active on the issue of whistleblower protection, investigating a specific whistleblower case and co-sponsoring legislation. Given the Bush administration’s continuing use of secrecy and information restrictions as its primary response to security concerns, the leadership of a key Republican Senator on the issue of disclosing information for the public benefit is particularly welcome and helpful. On June 12, 2003 Grassley and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) sent a letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller expressing concern about a fourth investigation of FBI Agent Robert Wright. Wright has been publicly critical about the FBI's counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the area of terrorist financing. Since voicing his concerns about problems at the FBI, Wright has been investigated and cleared of any wrongdoing three times by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the FBI's internal affairs unit. Workplace harassment is common repercussion that whistleblowers unfortunately and unfairly face. The Senators noted that they were “troubled by the FBI's apparent haste to launch an OPR investigation every time an agent speaks publicly about problems within the FBI.” The letter went on to point out that these actions could have chilling effect on those employees seeking to improve the FBI, and would thereby weaken this important agency. The Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act (S. 1229), which ammends the Whistleblower Protection Act, is being with Grassley as a co-sponsor, lending bipartisan support to the bill. Sens. Leahy, Carl Levin (D-MI), and Daniel Akaka (D-HI), whom all remain co-sponsors on the reintroduced bill, originally introduced the legislation on June 10th. The legislation contains numerous provisions to reinforce traditional whistleblower protections. Companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the House shortly.