Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 4182, the EQUALS Act. My Republican colleagues have offered a legislative solution to a problem that does not exist. The Oversight Committee has not held a single hearing to examine the existing one-year probationary period. Yet, this legislation would double the probationary period. In the process, it would degrade the due process rights of these employees. These due process protections are critical to protecting whistleblowers who report waste, fraud, and abuse. For example, the Oversight Committee has examined retaliation against whistleblowers at the Transportation Security Administration. In one case, a career official and disabled veteran testified before the Oversight Committee that he was removed from consideration for a Senior Executive Service position during his probationary period because he reported misconduct by top leaders at TSA including sexual harassment. During his interview with Committee staff, this senior career official explained that extending the probationary period would make it easier for agencies to retaliate against other whistleblowers in the future. The House of Representatives should not approve legislation that would allow more retaliation against whistleblowers at federal agencies. Apart from the negative effects, we have seen no reason to adopt this bill. We have seen no problem that needs to be addressed. As I said, the Oversight Committee never held a hearing on this bill.…”