Legis Daily

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-874| Senate 
| Updated: 12/9/2025
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (1)
Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025," aims to significantly enhance anti-reprisal safeguards for a broad range of individuals engaged with the federal government. It redefines "protected individual" to include not only employees but also contractors, subcontractors, grantees, their employees, and personal service providers across both defense and non-defense sectors, encompassing various governmental entities and intelligence community elements. The bill expands the types of disclosures protected from retaliation, covering instances where an individual refuses to obey an order that would violate a law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract or grant. It also protects disclosures of information reasonably believed to be evidence of gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law concerning federal contracts, as well as substantial and specific dangers to public health or safety. Crucially, the Act explicitly states that executive branch officials lack the authority to request or order a contractor, subcontractor, or grantee to engage in reprisal against a protected individual. Furthermore, the legislation introduces provisions for proposing appropriate disciplinary action against any executive branch official who requests such a prohibited reprisal. To strengthen these protections, the bill ensures that the rights, forum, and remedies provided for whistleblowers cannot be waived by any public or private agreement , policy, form, or condition of employment, specifically invalidating predispute arbitration agreements that would require arbitration of disputes arising under these protections.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1524
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2024
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Dec 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5578
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 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.
Dec 9, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1524
    Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2024


  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • December 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5578
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 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.


  • December 9, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.

Government Operations and Politics

Administrative remediesDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPublic contracts and procurement

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-874| Senate 
| Updated: 12/9/2025
This legislation, known as the "Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025," aims to significantly enhance anti-reprisal safeguards for a broad range of individuals engaged with the federal government. It redefines "protected individual" to include not only employees but also contractors, subcontractors, grantees, their employees, and personal service providers across both defense and non-defense sectors, encompassing various governmental entities and intelligence community elements. The bill expands the types of disclosures protected from retaliation, covering instances where an individual refuses to obey an order that would violate a law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract or grant. It also protects disclosures of information reasonably believed to be evidence of gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law concerning federal contracts, as well as substantial and specific dangers to public health or safety. Crucially, the Act explicitly states that executive branch officials lack the authority to request or order a contractor, subcontractor, or grantee to engage in reprisal against a protected individual. Furthermore, the legislation introduces provisions for proposing appropriate disciplinary action against any executive branch official who requests such a prohibited reprisal. To strengthen these protections, the bill ensures that the rights, forum, and remedies provided for whistleblowers cannot be waived by any public or private agreement , policy, form, or condition of employment, specifically invalidating predispute arbitration agreements that would require arbitration of disputes arising under these protections.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1524
Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2024
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Dec 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5578
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 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.
Dec 9, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1524
    Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2024


  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • December 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5578
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 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.


  • December 9, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (1)
Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPublic contracts and procurement