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HR5578119th CongressWALLET

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

Passed House

Summary

Whistleblower protections for contractors would be broadened and strengthened to cover more people tied to federal contracts, including defense and NASA work. The bill would expand who counts as a protected individual, list protected activities like refusing illegal orders or disclosing gross mismanagement, bar common waivers such as predispute arbitration, and require proposals for discipline when executive officials ask for reprisals.

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  • Contractors and workers: The definition of protected individuals would reach Department of Defense and NASA contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, certain personal-service contractors, and some former employees whose disclosures occurred before they left.
  • What counts as protected activity: People would be shielded for refusing orders to break the law and for reporting gross mismanagement, gross waste, abuse of authority, violations of law in contract competition or negotiation, or substantial and specific dangers to public health or safety.
  • Government partners and officials: Protections would extend to related state, territorial, tribal, and local government entities. The bill would bar waivers of rights, forum, and remedies in agreements and require agencies to propose appropriate disciplinary action when an executive branch official requests a prohibited reprisal.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More contractors counted as protected whistleblowers

If enacted, this would cover more people under federal contractor whistleblower rules. It would include workers for contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees on federal, Defense, or NASA work. It would also cover workers at state, local, tribal, and territorial governments when they do covered federal contract or grant work. Former employees would be covered if they spoke up before leaving. People doing personal services under federal contracts would be covered. The law’s text would use “protected individual” instead of “employee” to match the wider group.

No forced arbitration of whistleblower claims

If enacted, employers would not be able to make you give up whistleblower rights in contracts or policies. Any agreement or form, including a predispute arbitration clause, would not waive your rights, forum, or remedies under this law. Even if your job contract has an arbitration clause, it would not block you from using the law’s remedies.

Officials blocked from pushing retaliation

If enacted, executive branch officials would not be allowed to ask contractors or grantees to retaliate against protected workers. If an official’s request led to a forbidden reprisal, the agency would have to propose appropriate discipline. This would apply in defense, NASA, and civilian federal contracting.

Protection for reporting waste or danger

If enacted, covered workers would be protected from firing, demotion, or punishment for certain actions. You would be protected for refusing an order that would break the law on a contract or grant. You would be protected for telling the named offices or people about gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or legal violations tied to contracting or grants, including during competition or negotiation. You would also be protected for raising a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, when you reasonably believe the facts support it.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1]

    KY • R

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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