Gary Peters (D-MI)
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026," aims to protect whistleblowers from retaliation. It specifically targets individuals serving as contractors, subcontractors, grantees, or subgrantees for the Department of Defense and NASA, as well as the broader Federal Government. The legislation ensures these "protected individuals" are shielded when refusing to obey illegal orders or disclosing information regarding gross mismanagement, waste, or dangers to public health and safety. Additionally, it prohibits executive branch officials from requesting that contractors engage in reprisal against whistleblowers. Finally, it prevents individuals from waiving their rights to these protections through employment agreements.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill increases transparency by protecting individuals who disclose gross mismanagement, waste, or abuse of authority within federal agencies.
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill enhances protections for individuals in the contracting workforce against retaliation and illegal orders.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill helps reduce waste and gross mismanagement of federal funds by protecting whistleblowers who report it.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes new compliance and disciplinary risks for government contractors and executive branch officials.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for refusing illegal orders: The bill allows protected individuals to refuse to obey orders that would require them to violate laws, rules, or regulations related to contracts or grants (Section 2; Section 3).
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Shielding whistleblowers from retaliation for reporting misconduct: Individuals can disclose information regarding gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law/regulation without fear of reprisal (Section 2; Section 3).
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Protection regarding public safety: The bill protects those who disclose information believed to be evidence of a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety (Section 2; Section 3).
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Accountability for executive branch officials: The bill allows for the proposal of appropriate disciplinary action against any executive branch official who requests that a contractor engage in prohibited reprisal (Section 2; Section 3).
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Ensuring legal rights cannot be signed away: The bill states that rights, forums, and remedies cannot be waived by any public or private agreement, such as a predispute arbitration agreement (Section 2; Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the provided text.
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? — The bill increases transparency by protecting individuals who disclose gross mismanagement, waste, or abuse of authority within federal agencies.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill helps reduce waste and gross mismanagement of federal funds by protecting whistleblowers who report it.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill enhances protections for individuals in the contracting workforce against retaliation and illegal orders. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes new compliance and disciplinary risks for government contractors and executive branch officials.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Protecting whistleblowers in Department of Defense contracts can help ensure funds are used appropriately for defense and veteran-related services.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By protecting against gross mismanagement of funds, the bill indirectly supports more efficient use of public resources.
- 5/21/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2452-2454; text: CR S2452-2454)
- Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2452-2454; text: CR S2452-2454)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck GrassleyRepublican · Iowa