Whistleblower advocates convene in Washington, DC, this week (May 12-16) for events dedicated to honoring whistleblowers, promoting their protection, and educating the public and Congress about the most pressing issues for whistleblowers today.

Whistleblowers play a vital role in ensuring we have a functioning, effective, and accountable government. When governmental checks and balances fail to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, the responsibility to call notice to a problem and hopefully bring about a resolution often falls to employees. Unfortunately, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989, which was enacted to protect federal employees against reprisals for the exposure of government inadequacies, has been rendered largely toothless by judicial decisions. Additionally, there have been recent administrative policies that seek to control and/or limit the speech of scientists, researchers, and policy personnel that might give voice to facts and opinions that differ from the current political agenda.

The whistleblower events this week are part of an ongoing effort over the past several years to restore the needed protections to those employees who have the courage to stand up and draw notice to unaddressed problems. Sponsors hope the events will raise awareness of the shortcomings of our current whistleblower policies among members of Congress as well the general public.

This is the second annual Washington Whistleblower Week (W3), which has organized hearings and workshops on Capitol Hill with congressional leaders' participation. The Government Accountability Project, No FEAR Coalition, Semmelweis Society, U.S. Bill of Rights Foundation, and National Whistleblower Center are among the sponsors of these events.

In a coordinated effort, the International Association of Whistleblowers is simultaneously hosting the International Assembly of Whistleblowers (IAW), in which public interest groups have gathered to strategize and lobby Congress for greater whistleblower protection.

Some events of note at both conferences:

• Congressional No FEAR Tribunal: Ongoing testimony all day Wednesday, May 14, to members of Congress as part of W3. Public and private sector employees and public interest professionals will provide their insight about the issues and solutions for strengthening whistleblower protection. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) will chair the event.
• Walter E. Fauntroy No FEAR Awards: May 14 awards reception for members of Congress and citizens who have had a significant role in advancing whistleblower rights.
• Judicial Accountability: IAW-focused events on Thursday, May 15, to discuss issues of whistleblower oversight and accountability in the courts. A debate in the morning will provide context for an afternoon of testimony from a diverse, bipartisan panel.
• Whistleblowers at International Organizations: IAW panel on May 15 focusing on the lack of protections for employees at International Financial Institutions (i.e., World Bank). These institutions operate under the cover of special immunity from national laws and present a particular set of challenges.

The 110th Congress has made significant progress toward re-establishing strong whistleblower protections. Both the House and the Senate have passed bills to reestablish strong whistleblower protections, going beyond the 1989 provisions, but their differences have yet to be negotiated in conference. Those participating in the whistleblower events this week are being strongly encouraged to contact their representatives and senators to express support for key provisions in the respective bills.

Both bills close many of the loopholes left open in the 1989 law and widened by court rulings. The House Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 985) includes federal contractors under the protection mantle, while the Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act (S. 274) limits its scope to federal employees. Though President Bush has promised a veto, the bills have strong support and could possibly override a veto should it come with enough time remaining in the session for Congress to respond.