Designating July 30, 2025, as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.
Summary
This Senate Resolution designates July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day." It aims to recognize the contributions of whistleblowers in combating waste, fraud, abuse, and violations of laws and regulations. The resolution encourages federal agencies to inform employees and the public about the legal right to report misconduct.
Expected Effects
The resolution will likely raise awareness of whistleblower protections and encourage more individuals to report government misconduct. Federal agencies may implement programs to recognize whistleblowers and educate employees about their rights. This could lead to increased reporting of fraud and abuse, potentially saving taxpayer money.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of whistleblower rights and protections.
- Potential for increased reporting of fraud, waste, and abuse in government.
- Recognition of the important role whistleblowers play in ensuring government accountability.
- Potential savings for taxpayers through the exposure of government misconduct.
- Reinforcement of ethical behavior within government agencies.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for frivolous or malicious reporting, requiring resources to investigate.
- Possible chilling effect on open communication within agencies if employees fear being reported.
- Risk of politicization of whistleblower claims.
- Limited direct impact as it is a symbolic resolution.
- Potential for increased administrative burden on agencies to implement recognition programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the spirit of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. While the Constitution does not explicitly mention whistleblowers, the resolution supports transparency and accountability, which are consistent with constitutional principles. The resolution's emphasis on protecting classified information also aligns with the government's constitutional responsibility to provide for national security.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).