119th Congress
H.R. 5578
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became law
- Sponsor
- Robert Garcia(D-CA)
- Introduced
- Sep 26, 2025
- Policy area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Committees
- House Committee on Armed Services; House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
- Official text
- Placed on Calendar Senate · Congress.gov page
Cosponsors (1)
Original cosponsors (1)
- James Comer (R-KY)
Summary
Summary by the Congressional Research Service· describes the “Introduced in House” version
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025
This bill expands whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and grant recipients to include the act of refusing to obey an unlawful order and to apply these protections to members of the intelligence community and other governmental employees.
Current law protects employees of federal contractors or grant recipients from a reprisal (i.e., discharge, demotion, or discrimination) for disclosing evidence to Congress or another appropriate official of certain misconduct involving federal contracts, grants, or funds. The bill expands these protections to include an employee's refusal to obey an order that would require the employee to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to any contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. The bill also specifies that these protections apply to employees of federal contractors or grant recipients who are current or former members of the intelligence community or employees of state, local, or tribal governments.
Further, the bill specifies that these protections may not be waived in a predispute arbitration agreement and renders any such agreement unenforceable.
The bill specifies that an executive branch official may not request a federal contractor or grant recipient to engage in a reprisal against a protected employee, and it authorizes federal agencies to propose disciplinary action against officials that do so.
Roll-call votes
No recorded votes on this bill.
Actions
- Jul 21, 2026 · Senate
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465. - Jul 20, 2026 · House
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. - Jul 20, 2026 · House
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665) - Jul 20, 2026 · House
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578. - Jul 20, 2026 · House
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4664-4666) - Jul 20, 2026 · House
Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. - Dec 2, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0. - Dec 2, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held - Sep 26, 2025 · House
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. - Sep 26, 2025
Introduced in House