Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)
Federal Funds Whistleblower Protection Extension Act
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 7824, known as the Federal Funds Whistleblower Protection Extension Act, extends whistleblower protections to individuals who disclose the misuse of Federal funds administered by State and local officials. The bill covers employees, contractors, subgrantees, and agents who report waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement of Federal funds. It explicitly bans covered officials from taking adverse personnel actions against individuals who make protected disclosures. Furthermore, the legislation establishes criminal penalties for officials who retaliate against whistleblowers, ranging from fines for negligent retaliation to prison time for intentional retaliation. Finally, it requires State and local governments to certify compliance with these protections as a condition of receiving Federal financial assistance.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
By protecting individuals who disclose misuse and fraud of federal funds, the legislation greatly enhances transparency and integrity in government.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill protects workers who make lawful disclosures regarding public funds, safeguarding their right to report wrongdoing without facing retaliation.
- Scored +4
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill enforces fiscal responsibility by conditioning federal financial assistance on compliance with whistleblower protections.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for Workers Reporting Fraud: Under Section 2 (adding section 7602), covered individuals such as employees, contractors, subgrantees, and agents are protected from adverse personnel actions like termination, demotion, pay cuts, or harassment when they lawfully disclose the misuse, waste, fraud, abuse, or gross mismanagement of Federal funds. This gives workers the security to speak up without fear of losing their livelihoods.
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Accountability for Officials: Under Section 2 (adding section 7603), covered officials face criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, if they knowingly or intentionally retaliate against whistleblowers. This holds elected and appointed officials accountable for their actions and deters them from punishing honest workers.
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Condition of Federal Funding: Under Section 2 (adding section 7605), State and local governments must certify compliance with these whistleblower protections as a condition of receiving Federal financial assistance, and failure to comply can lead to corrective actions, suspension, or termination of funds. This ensures taxpayer dollars are managed properly by giving teeth to the enforcement of these rules.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no explicitly stated negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — By protecting individuals who disclose misuse and fraud of federal funds, the legislation greatly enhances transparency and integrity in government. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill protects workers who make lawful disclosures regarding public funds, safeguarding their right to report wrongdoing without facing retaliation. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight by establishing federal whistleblower protections and funding conditions for state and local programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enforces fiscal responsibility by conditioning federal financial assistance on compliance with whistleblower protections. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Deterring the misuse and abuse of federal funds by state and local officials helps curb wasteful government expenditures. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — By protecting whistleblowers who report fraud and waste of federal funds, the bill helps reduce government waste and misuse of taxpayer dollars.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class workers employed as contractors or public employees gain valuable job security when reporting government fraud.
- 3/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota