Mark Kirk actually said...

I wish to extend my gratitude to Senator Kirk and his staff for the continued attention to the alarming matter of whistleblower retaliation.

a consistent theme emerged from these accounts: the VA does not hold those who retaliate against whistleblowers accountable for their action...

Accountability for illegal retaliation has been missing in other pending VA legislation.

This is why legislation such as that introduced by Senator Kirk is so incredibly important.