Following the passage of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (S. 743) in the House of Representatives, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Policy Directive (PPD-19) on October 10, calling for the extension of whistleblower protection for federal employees in national security and intelligence. In S. 743, federal employees’ rights were expanded in order to protect those who come out against government waste, fraud, and abuse. PPD-19 provides protection from retaliation to those who work in the intelligence community.

Those in the intelligence community were left out of the initial bill for fear of compromising classified information. PPD-19 “ensures that employees (1) serving in the intelligence community or (2) who are eligible for access to classified information can effectively report waste, fraud, and abuse while protecting classified national security information. It prohibits retaliation against employees for reporting waste, fraud, and abuse.” Additionally, PPD-19 calls for conducting external reviews when requested by an employee in order to ensure retaliation has not occurred as a result of whistleblowing.

Upon the passage of S. 743 in September, Representative Darrell Issa (R-Cali.) stated, “By passing the Whistleblowers Protection Enhancement Act, the House of Representatives sent a clear message to those who help us protect the American people and their hard-earned tax dollars: We stand beside you.”

For more information on PPD-19, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov.