Legis Daily

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-5578| House 
| Updated: 7/21/2026
Robert Garcia

Robert Garcia

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
James Comer (Republican)

Armed Services Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025," significantly enhances anti-retaliation protections for individuals working with the federal government. It expands the definition of a "protected individual" to include a wide range of entities and personnel, such as contractors, subcontractors, grantees, their employees (current and former), and personal service providers for both the Department of Defense/NASA and the broader Federal Government. This expanded scope also covers state and local governments, Indian tribes, and elements of the intelligence community when acting as federal contractors or grantees. The bill broadens the types of disclosures protected from reprisal. Individuals are now safeguarded for refusing to obey an order that would require them to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract or grant. Protection also extends to disclosing information reasonably believed to be evidence of gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law concerning federal contracts, as well as any substantial and specific danger to public health or safety . Crucially, the Act explicitly prohibits executive branch officials from requesting that a contractor or grantee engage in any form of prohibited reprisal against a whistleblower. To strengthen enforcement, the bill mandates that appropriate disciplinary action be proposed against any executive branch official who requests a reprisal. Furthermore, it clarifies that the rights, forum, and remedies provided for whistleblowers under this Act cannot be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, or condition of employment, including predispute arbitration agreements. These provisions aim to create a more secure environment for federal contractors and their employees to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 26, 2025
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.
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
May 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-874
Held at the desk.
Jul 20, 2026
Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jul 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4664-4666)
Jul 20, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.
Jul 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in 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
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)
Jul 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2026
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.
  • September 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 26, 2025
    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.


  • December 2, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.


  • December 2, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-874
    Held at the desk.


  • July 20, 2026
    Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • July 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • July 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4664-4666)


  • July 20, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.


  • July 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • July 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)


  • July 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • July 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)


  • July 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • July 21, 2026
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-874: Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025
  • S 119-4631: Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026
Administrative remediesDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPublic contracts and procurement

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-5578| House 
| Updated: 7/21/2026
This legislation, known as the "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025," significantly enhances anti-retaliation protections for individuals working with the federal government. It expands the definition of a "protected individual" to include a wide range of entities and personnel, such as contractors, subcontractors, grantees, their employees (current and former), and personal service providers for both the Department of Defense/NASA and the broader Federal Government. This expanded scope also covers state and local governments, Indian tribes, and elements of the intelligence community when acting as federal contractors or grantees. The bill broadens the types of disclosures protected from reprisal. Individuals are now safeguarded for refusing to obey an order that would require them to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract or grant. Protection also extends to disclosing information reasonably believed to be evidence of gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law concerning federal contracts, as well as any substantial and specific danger to public health or safety . Crucially, the Act explicitly prohibits executive branch officials from requesting that a contractor or grantee engage in any form of prohibited reprisal against a whistleblower. To strengthen enforcement, the bill mandates that appropriate disciplinary action be proposed against any executive branch official who requests a reprisal. Furthermore, it clarifies that the rights, forum, and remedies provided for whistleblowers under this Act cannot be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, or condition of employment, including predispute arbitration agreements. These provisions aim to create a more secure environment for federal contractors and their employees to report wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Sep 26, 2025
Introduced in House
Sep 26, 2025
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.
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
May 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-874
Held at the desk.
Jul 20, 2026
Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jul 20, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4664-4666)
Jul 20, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.
Jul 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 20, 2026
Passed/agreed to in 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
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 20, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)
Jul 20, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2026
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.
  • September 26, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • September 26, 2025
    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.


  • December 2, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.


  • December 2, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-874
    Held at the desk.


  • July 20, 2026
    Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • July 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • July 20, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4664-4666)


  • July 20, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.


  • July 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • July 20, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)


  • July 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • July 20, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4664-4665)


  • July 20, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • July 21, 2026
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.
Robert Garcia

Robert Garcia

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (1)
James Comer (Republican)

Armed Services Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Government Operations and Politics

Related Bills

  • S 119-874: Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025
  • S 119-4631: Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPublic contracts and procurement