What does SHORT TITLE. of Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026.

What does DEFENSE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES: PROTECTION FROM REPRISAL FOR of Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 4701 of title 10, United States Code, to provide protection from reprisal for disclosures by defense contractor employees. It redefines 'employee' to 'protected individual,' expanding protections to contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees of the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Protected individuals can refuse to obey orders that would require them to violate a law and can disclose information related to gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or violations of law. The definition of 'protected individual' includes government entities, political subdivisions, and elements of the intelligence community. It clarifies that executive branch officials cannot request contractors to engage in reprisal against those who make protected disclosures. The section prohibits waivers of rights, forum, and remedies through agreements, policies, or conditions of employment, including predispute arbitration agreements. It adds disciplinary action for officials requesting reprisal and re-designates subsections within the existing code section.

What does ENHANCEMENT OF NON-DEFENSE CONTRACTOR PROTECTION FROM REPRISAL of Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 4712 of Title 41, United States Code, to enhance protection from reprisal for individuals disclosing certain information related to federal contracts and grants. A 'protected individual' may not be discharged, demoted, or discriminated against for refusing to obey an order that would require them to violate a law or for disclosing evidence of gross mismanagement, waste, abuse of authority, or violations of law related to federal contracts, subcontracts, grants, or subgrants. The definition of 'protected individual' now includes contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, their employees (including former employees), and individuals performing personal services for the federal government. Executive branch officials are prohibited from requesting contractors to engage in reprisal against individuals protected under this section. Rights, forum, and remedies provided in this section cannot be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of employment, including predispute arbitration agreements. The bill proposes disciplinary action against executive branch officials who request reprisal against protected individuals.

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Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

Q: What does Preamble of Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026 do?

This bill aims to protect whistleblowers, including contractors, from retaliation. The bill addresses situations where a Federal employee orders a reprisal against a whistleblower.

Last updated: 5/21/2026 · Introduced: 5/21/2026

Author: Gary Peters (D-MI)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill expands whistleblower protections to contractors, subcontractors, grantees, and subgrantees of the Department of Defense and NASA, allowing them to refuse orders violating the law and disclose evidence of mismanagement.
The legislation broadens protections to encompass individuals involved in federal contracts and grants, including former employees and those performing personal services, safeguarding them from retaliation for reporting similar concerns.
It prohibits executive branch officials from requesting reprisal against whistleblowers and prevents waivers of rights through employment agreements, including predispute arbitration.

119th Congresspassed senateHR. 5578(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

4 sections

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