Gary Peters (D-MI)
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025
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
The Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025 aims to protect whistleblowers from retaliation. It focuses on ensuring that contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees are shielded when they disclose specific information or refuse illegal orders. The bill specifically amends laws regarding Department of Defense and National Aeronautics and Space Administration personnel. It also extends protections to non-defense federal contractors. Additionally, the act prohibits executive branch officials from requesting that contractors engage in prohibited reprisals.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill enhances transparency by protecting individuals who disclose evidence of gross mismanagement or abuse of authority.
- Scored +3
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill expands protections for contractors and those performing personal services against retaliatory actions.
- Scored +2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill helps prevent gross mismanagement and waste of federal funds through enhanced whistleblower protections.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill increases regulatory scrutiny and potential disciplinary risks for government contractors and executive officials.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection for refusing illegal orders: Individuals are protected if they refuse to obey an order that would require them to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to a contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. (Section 2 and Section 3)
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Protection for reporting mismanagement or waste: Individuals are protected when disclosing information they reasonably believe is evidence of gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law or regulation regarding contracts or grants. (Section 2 and Section 3)
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Protection for reporting public health and safety risks: Individuals can be protected when disclosing information that they reasonably believe shows a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. (Section 2 and Section 3)
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Accountability for executive branch officials: The bill allows for proposed disciplinary action against any executive branch official who requests that a contractor engage in prohibited reprisals. (Section 2 and Section 3)
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Preventing the waiver of rights: The bill ensures that a person's rights, forum, and remedies cannot be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, or condition of employment, such as a predispute arbitration agreement. (Section 2 and Section 3)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the 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 enhances transparency by protecting individuals who disclose evidence of gross mismanagement or abuse of authority.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill helps prevent gross mismanagement and waste of federal funds through enhanced whistleblower protections.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill expands protections for contractors and those performing personal services against retaliatory actions. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill increases regulatory scrutiny and potential disciplinary risks for government contractors and executive officials.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill provides protections for those disclosing specific dangers to public health and safety.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill protects those reporting mismanagement of Department of Defense programs which may affect veteran service delivery.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By protecting against mismanagement of federal funds, the bill indirectly supports efficient use of social programs.
- 5/4/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/29/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2100-2102; text: CR S2100-2101)
- 12/9/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 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