Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

The Suspects

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY)

Sen. Christopher Bond (R-MO)

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-NC)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS)
Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)

Your help is needed to positively identify the culprits blocking legislation that is key to purging the federal government of waste, fraud and abuses such as the Wall Street disaster that threatens the future of the country.  (More information on the legislation is available here (www.WhistleblowerAction.or g)

What you can do to help

1. Everyone who has a connection or constituent relationship with the above offices is being asked to make calls immediately to confirm whether they support the bill. For those who do not, please contact those in your networks to ask for their help.

2. Even if your Senator is not on the list, please call, as a concerned constituent, to confirm his or her support for the bill.
   
   

Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or the Senate offices directly  and use the following talking points:

Hello,

    * I am calling Senator X today as a concerned constituent and taxpayer to ask if the Senator is objecting to a critical government accountability bill to strengthen protections for federal employees when they witness waste, fraud and abuse.

    * Is the Senator holding, blocking or otherwise objecting to passage of Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act?

    * Please tell the Senator and relevant staff that I called today to urge immediate passage of the amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act being offered now.

    * Thank you.

231 public interest groups urge passage of bill

In a September 25 letter, 231 public interest organizations expressed support for the legislation.  Below is a portion of the letter addressed to Sen. Joseph Lieberman; Sen. Susan Collins; Sen. Daniel Akaka; Sen. George Voinovich; Rep. Henry Waxman; Rep. Tom Davis; Rep. Todd Platts; and Rep. Chris Van Hollen,

The undersigned organizations, representing millions of Americans, write to support the completion of the landmark, eight-year legislative effort to restore a credible Whistleblower Protection Act. We offer our support to expeditiously conclude the process of reconciling House and Senate passed versions of this vital good government legislation, H.R. 985 and S. 274.

Unfortunately, every month that passes has very tangible consequences for scores of whistleblowers who still lack viable legal rights. In just the first three months of this year, since both chambers passed their versions of the legislation, whistleblowers have a 2-49 win-loss record in initial decisions from administrative hearings at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). For final rulings by the MSPB, the record is 2-53 under the current Chair. Since January, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, which has a monopoly on appellate review, has ruled against whistleblowers in another thirteen consecutive decisions on the merits, leaving a track record of 2-203 since October 1994 when Congress last strengthened the law! We stand ready to provide any information that would help expedite the process, and to help you come to agreement on any unresolved issues.

[snip]

We know that your offices share the commitment of every group signing the letter below and we deeply appreciate the years of effort to create more accountability in government. Please let us know how we can participate to expeditiously complete this badly needed good government
reform. Once the reconciled version becomes law, the real winners will be the public!

Cross-posted with permission from Deep Harm at Daily Kos