Home > Senators put secret hold on anti-corruption bill - Call for action
Senators put secret hold on anti-corruption bill - Call for action
by Open-Publishing - Friday 3 October 20081 comment
(cross-posted with permission from Daily Kos diarist Deep Harm_}
Several senators reportedly are using "secret holds" to block passage of anti-corruption legislation that activists, concerned citizens and more enlightened members of Congress have been working for eight years to pass into law. The identities of the stonewallers are uncertain, but suspects include eight Republicans and the Senate Minority Leader (names provided below the fold.
A bipartisan group of Senate offices has agreed on a reconciliation bill that they are hoping to pass and send to the House of Representatives for final passage. The bill is critical to restoring integrity and fiscal responsibility in our federal government and previous votes indicate that the bill would pass with flying colors - but only if it could be presented for a vote before Congress leaves at the end of the week.
The SuspectsSen. 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 at (www.WhistleblowerAction.org)
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.
How to help
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.
It would be additionally helpful if you called the Government Accountability Project afterward (202-210-8539) to let them know if your Senator indicated that he or she opposed the legislation.
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!
The letter was signed by the following organizations and individuals:
Adele Kushner, Executive DirectorAction for a Clean EnvironmentPamela Miller, Director*Alaska Community Action on ToxicsDan Lawn, President*Alaska Forum on Environmental ResponsibilityCindy Shogun, Executive Director*Alaska Wilderness LeagueSusan Gordon, Director*Alliance for Nuclear AccountabilityRochelle Becker, Executive DirectorAlliance for Nuclear ResponsibilityGil Mileikowsky, M.D.Alliance for Patient SafetyLinda Lipsen, Senior Vice President for Public AffairsAmerican Association for Justice (AAJ)Mary Alice Baish, Acting Washington Affairs RepresentativeAmerican Association of Law LibrariesF. Patricia Callahan, President and General CounselAmerican Association of Small Property OwnersJohn W. Curtis, Ph.D., Director of Research and Public Policy*American Association of University ProfessorsChristopher Finan, presidentAmerican Booksellers Foundation for Free ExpressionCaroline Fredrickson, Director, Washington Legislative OfficeAmerican Civil Liberties UnionMichael D. Ostrolenk*American Conservative Defense AllianceDr. Paul Connett, Executive Director*American Environmental Health Studies Project, Inc.John Gage, National PresidentPage 3American Federation of Government EmployeesCharles M. Loveless, Director of Legislation*American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME)Mary Ellen McNish, General Secretary*American Friends Service CommitteeCaitlin Love Hills, National Forest Program Director*American Lands AllianceJessica McGilvray, Assistant Director*American Library AssociationAlexandra Owens, Executive DirectorAmerican Society of Journalists and AuthorsCharlotte Hall, President*American Society of Newspaper EditorsPatricia Schroeder, President and CEO*Association of American PublishersMs. Bobbie Paul, Executive DirectorAtlanta WAND (Women’s Action for New Directions)Samuel H. Sage, President*Atlantic States Legal Foundation, Inc.Jay Stewart, Executive Director*Better Government AssociationMatthew Fogg, First Vice-President*Blacks in GovernmentNancy Talanian, DirectorBill of Rights Defense CommitteeDiane Wilson, President*Calhoun County Resource WatchPeter Scheer, Executive Director*California First Amendment AssociationTerry Franke, Executive Director*Californians AwarePage 4Reece Rushing, Director of Regulatory and Information Policy*Center for American ProgressWilliam Snape, Senior CounselCenter for Biological DiversityCharlie Cray, DirectorCenter for Corporate PolicyGregory T. Nojeim, Senior Counsel andDirector, Project on Freedom, Security & TechnologyCenter for Democracy and TechnologyJoseph Mendelson III, Legal Director*Center for Food SafetyJ . Bradley Jansen, DirectorCenter for Financial Privacy and Human RightsPaul Kurtz, Chairman*Center for InquiryRobert E. White, President*Center for International PolicyMerrill Goozner, DirectorIntegrity in ScienceCenter for Science in the Public InterestLinda Lazarus, DirectorCenter to Advance Human PotentialCraig Williams, Director*Chemical Weapons Working Group & Common GroundLeonard Akers*Citizens Against Incineration at NewportEvelyn M. Hurwich, President and ChairCircumpolar Conservation UnionDavid B. McCoy, Executive DirectorCitizen Action New MexicoDoug Bandow, Vice President for Policy*Citizen OutreachPage 5Deb Katz, Executive DirectorCitizens Awareness NetworkBarbara Warren, Executive Director*Citizens’ Environmental CoalitionElaine Cimino*Citizens for Environmental SafeguardsJames Turner, Chairman of the Board*Citizens for HealthMichael McCormack, Executive Director*Citizens for Health Educational FoundationGerard Beloin*Citizens for Judicial ReformLaura Olah, Executive Director*Citizens for Safe Water Around BadgerAnne Hemenway, Treasurer*Citizen’s Vote, Inc.Rick Piltz*Climate Science WatchJohn JudgeCoalition on Political Assassinations9/11 Research ProjectZena Crenshaw, 2ndVice-Chair3.5.7 Commission on Judicial ReformSarah Dufendach, Vice President for Legislative AffairsCommon CauseClarissa Duran, DirectorCommunity Service Organization del NorteJoni Arends, Executive DirectorConcerned Citizens for Nuclear SafetyLokesh Vuyyuru, MD, Founder*Concerned Citizens of PetersburgPage 6Daniel Hirsch, Member, Executive CommitteeConcerned Foreign Service OfficersMatthew Fogg, PresidentCongress Against Racism & Corruption in Law Enforcement (CARCLE)Ellen Bloom, Director of Federal PolicyAmi Gadhia, Policy CounselConsumers UnionBob Shavelson, Director*Cook Inlet KeeperTonya Hennessey, Project Director*CorpWatchJohn Issacs, Executive Director*Council for a Livable WorldAnne Weismann, Chief Counsel*CREW, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonCathy Harris, Founder, Executive Director*Customs Employees Against Discrimination AssociationMary Elizabeth Beetham, Director of Legislative AffairsDefenders of WildlifeSue Udry, DirectorDefending Dissent FoundationPaul E. Almeida, President*Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIOBen Smilowitz, DirectorDisaster Accountability ProjectDr. Patrick Campbell*Doctors against FraudDr. Disamodha Amarasinghe*Doctors for National HealthcareJames J. Murtagh, Jr., President*Doctors for Open GovernmentPage 7Dr. John Raviotta*Doctors for Reform of JCAHOStephen D’Esposito, President*EarthworksThea Harvey, Executive Director*Economists for Peace and SecurityLisa Walker, executive directorEducation Writers AssociationGregory HileEnviroJusticeChuck Broscious, PresidentEnvironmental Defense InstituteJudith Robinson, Director of Programs*Environmental Health FundPeter Montague, Ph.D, Director*Environmental Research FoundationJohn RichardEssential InformationGeorge AndersonEthics in Government Group (EGG)Gabe Bruno*FAA Whistleblowers AllianceJanet Kopenhaver, Washington Representative*Federally Employed Women (FEW)Steven Aftergood, Project DirectorFederation of American ScientistsMarilyn Fitterman, Vice PresidentFeminists for Free ExpressionEllen Donnett, Administrative Director*Fluoride Action NetworkAndrew D. Jackson, Asst. Campaign CoordinatorFocus-On-Indiana for Judicial ReformPage 8Wenonah Hauter, Executive DirectorFood and Water WatchBob Darby, CoordinatorFood Not Bombs/AtlantaAndy Stahl*Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics (FSEEE)Tom Ferguson, CoordinatorFoundation for Global Community/AtlantaRuth Flower, Legislative DirectorFriends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers)Conrad Martin, Executive DirectorFund for Constitutional GovernmentKaryn Jones, Director*G.A.S.PGroup to Alleviate Smoking PollutionGwen Marshall, Co-ChairmanGeorgians for Open GovernmentDenny Larson, Executive Director*Global Community MonitorPaul F. Walker, Ph.D., Legacy Program DirectorGlobal Green USA(The US Affiliate of Green Cross International, Mikhail Gorbachev, Chairman)Bill Owens, President*The Glynn Environmental CoalitionTom Devine, legal directorGovernment Accountability ProjectBill Hedden, Executive Director*Grand Canyon TrustMolly Johnson, Area CoordinatorGrandmothers for Peace, San Luis Obispo County ChapterAlan Muller*Green DelawarePage 9Jenefer EllingstonGreen Party of the United StatesJames C. Turner, Executive DirectorHALT, Inc. — An Organization of Americans for Legal ReformTom Carpenter, Executive DirectorHanford ChallengeArthur S. Shoor, President*Healthcare ConsultantsHelen Salisbury, M.D.Health Integrity ProjectVanessa Pierce, Executive Director*Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah)Gerry Pollet*Heart of America NorthwestLiz Havstad, Chief of Staff*Hip Hop CaucusDoug Tjapkes, President*Humanity for PrisonersKeith Robinson, Interim President*Indiana Coalition for Open GovernmentScott Armstrong, Executive Director*Information TrustArjun Makhijani, Ph.D., PresidentInstitute for Energy and Environmental ResearchDonald Soeken, PresidentIntegrity InternationalMichael McCray, Esq., Co-ChairInternational Association of WhistleblowersMory Atashkar, Vice PresidentIranian American Democratic AssociationPage 10Mark S. ZaidJames Madison ProjectJohn Metz, Executive Director*JustHealthBrett Kimberlin, DirectorJustice Through MusicElizabeth Crowe, Director*Kentucky Environmental FoundationTom FitzGerald, Director*Kentucky Resources Council, Inc.James Love*Knowledge Ecology InternationalJosephine Carol Cicchini*LeapforPatientSafetyJonathon Moseley, Executive Director*Legal Affairs CouncilJames PlummerLiberty CoalitionGreg Mello, Executive Director*Los Alamos Study GroupDr. Janette Parker*Medical WhistleblowerJill McElheney, FounderMicah’s MissionMinistry to Improve Childhood & Adolescent HealthMary Treacy, Executive Director*The Minnesota Coalition on Government InformationHelen Haskell*Mothers Against Medical ErrorMark Cohn, President*MPD Productions, Inc.Page 11James Landrith, FounderThe Multiracial ActivistLarry Fisher, FounderNational Accountant Whistleblower CoalitionTinsley H. Davis, Executive DirectorNational Association of Science WritersJim L. Jorgenson, Deputy Executive Director*National Association of Treasury AgentsDominick DellaSala, Ph.D., Executive Director of Programs and Chief Scientist*National Center for Conservation Science & PolicyJoan E. Bertin, Esq., Executive DirectorNational Coalition Against CensorshipRussell Hemenway, President*National Committee for an Effective CongressSally Greenberg, Executive DirectorNational Consumers LeagueTerisa E. Chaw, Executive DirectorNational Employment Lawyers AssociationAndrew JacksonNational Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc.Kim Gandy, President*National Organization for WomenPaul Brown, Government Relations ManagerNational Research Center for Women & FamiliesSibel Edmonds, President and Founder*National Security Whistleblowers CoalitionPete Sepp, Vice President for Policy & CommunicationsNational Taxpayers UnionColleen M. Kelley, National PresidentNational Treasury Employees UnionSteve Kohn, PresidentPage 12National Whistleblower CenterAmy AllinaNational Women’s Health NetworkTerrie Smith, Director*National Nuclear Workers For JusticeSr. Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive DirectorNETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice LobbyRon Marshall, ChairmanNew Grady CoalitionRick Engler, DirectorNew Jersey Work Environment CouncilCaroline Heldman Ph.D., Director*New Orleans Women’s ShelterMarsha Coleman-Abedayo, Chair*No FEAR CoalitionNina Bell, J.D., Executive Director*Northwest Environmental AdvocatesAlice Slater, DirectorNuclear Age Peace Foundation, New YorkDavid A. Kraft, DirectorNuclear Energy Information Service (NEIS)Michael Mariotte, Executive DirectorNuclear Information and Resource ServiceJay Coghlan, Executive Director*Nuclear Watch New MexicoGwen Lachelt, Executive Director*Oil & Gas Accountability ProjectSean Moulton, Director, Federal Information PolicyOMB WatchRob Kall*Op Ed NewsPage 13Patrice McDermott, Executive DirectorOpenTheGovernment.orgPaul Loney, President*Oregon Wildlife FederationEllen Paul, Executive Director*The Ornithological CouncilJoe Carson, ChairP. Jeffrey Black, Co-ChairOSC Watch Steering CommitteeJudy Norsigian, Executive DirectorOur Bodies OurselvesBetsy Combier, President and EditorParentadvocates.orgAshley Katz, MSW, Executive Director*Patient Privacy RightsBlake Moore*Patient Quality Care ProjectDianne Parker*Patient Safety AdvocatesFormer Special Agent Darlene FitzgeraldPatrick Henry CenterPaul Kawika Martin, Organizing, Political and PAC DirectorPeace Action & Peace Action Education FundBennett Haselton, Founder*Peacefire.orgRev. Paul Alexander, Ph.D., DirectorPentecostals & Charismatics for Peace & JusticeMichael McCally, MD, PhD, Executive Director*Physicians for Social ResponsibilityVina Colley, President*Portsmouth/Piketon Residents for Environmental Safety and Security (PRESS)Page 14David Banisar, Director, FOI ProjectPrivacy InternationalRobert Bulmash, President*Private Citizen, Inc.Ronald J Riley, PresidentProfessional Inventor’s AllianceDr. Paul Lapides*Professors for IntegrityDanielle Brian, Executive DirectorProject On Government OversightEllen Thomas, Executive DirectorProposition One CommitteeDavid Arkush, Director, Congress WatchPublic CitizenJeff Ruch, Executive DirectorPublic Employees for Environmental ResponsibilityRobert L. FitzPatrick, President*PYRAMID SCHEME ALERTLucy A. Dalglish, Executive DirectorThe Reporters Committee for Freedom of the PressKirsten Moore, President and CEOReproductive Health Technologies ProjectTim Little, Executive Director*Rose Foundation for Communities and the EnvironmentJohn W. Whitehead, presidentThe Rutherford InstituteAdrienne Anderson, CoordinatorSafe Water Colorado and Nuclear Nexus ProjectsRocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center(Whistleblower Anderson v Metro Wastewater)Angela Smith, Coordinator*Seattle Healthy Environment Alliance (Seattle HEAL)Page 15Dr. Roland ChalifouxThe Semmelweis Society International (SSI)Rufus Kinney*Serving Alabama’s Future Environment (SAFE)Shane Jimerfield, Executive Director*Siskiyou ProjectAndrea Shipley, Executive Director*Snake River AllianceMatthew Petty, Executive Director*The Social Sustenance OrganizationDave Aekens, National PresidentSociety of Professional JournalistsAmy B. Osborne, President*Southeastern Chapter of the American Association of Law LibrariesDon Hancock, Director of Nuclear Waste Safety Program*Southwest Research and Information CenterDonna Rosenbaum, Executive Director*S.T.O.P. - Safe Tables Our PriorityKevin KuritzkyThe Student Health Integrity Project (SHIP)Daphne Wysham, Co-DirectorSustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN)Jeb White, Executive DirectorTaxpayers Against FraudAlec McNaughton*Team IntegrityKen Paff, National Organizer*Teamsters for a Democratic UnionMarylia Kelley, Executive Director*Tri-Valley CAREsCommunities Against a Radioactive EnvironmentPage 16Paul TaylorTruckers Justice CenterFrancesca Grifo, Ph.D., DirectorScientific Integrity ProgramUnion of Concerned ScientistsDane von Breichenruchardt, PresidentU.S. Bill of Rights FoundationDr. Joseph Parish*U.S. Environmental WatchGary Kalman, Director, Federal Legislative OfficeU.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S.PIRG)Nick Mangieri, President*Valor Press, Ltd.Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, FounderVeterans Affairs Whistleblowers CoalitionTom Z. Collina, Executive Director*20/20 VisionNada Khader, Foundation Director*WESPAC FoundationGloria G. Karp, Co-Chair*Westchester Progressive ForumMabel Dobbs, ChairLivestock CommitteeWestern Organization of Resource CouncilsAnn Harris, Executive DirectorWe the People, IncJanet Chandler, Co-FounderWhistleblower Mentoring ProjectLinda Lewis, DirectorWhistleblowers USAJohn C. Horning, Executive Director*WildEarth GuardiansPage 17Tracy Davids, Executive Director*Wild SouthKim WitczakWoodyMattersPaula Brantner, Executive Director*Workplace Fairness
Thank you to all of the above groups for their support of this very important legislation.
Forum posts
16 December 2008, 05:44, by Mory Atashkar
Honorable Patrick Fitzgerald;
You are a glimpse of hope in our country’s system of justice and law enforcement. Your diligence and bravery is a forceful reminder to the crooks that “We the People” are in control and we will not allow our nation’s democracy to be weakened.
As it appears, the nucleus of corruption and scandalous activities are imbedded in our nation’s higher offices by the wealthy elite. These elite are our nation’s enemy-within, they do not allow our democracy to prevail. The majority of our nation’s higher offices are being hijacked by wealthy socialites and their famous influences.
The fact is that Governor Blagojevich as one of the stupidest aforementioned office holders, neglected himself by not taking the “How To Do It Safe 101” training courses offered in the State of “Kalifornia”. For example:
•In State of “Kalifornia” if a public employee reports waste, fraud, or abuse within State agencies, he/she will immediately get “terminated”.
•In State of “Kalifornia”, public employees are afraid to report fraud in public agencies out of fear of retaliation.
•Public employees in “Kalifornia” receive no protection from existing State Whistleblower Laws.
•The Governor of the State of “Kalifornia” vetoes Whistleblower protection rights.
The California Court system will not hear a public employee’s cases unless complaints are heard and remedied by the State Personnel Board’s Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) first.
The Whistleblower complaints take five or more years to get reviewed by the ALJ and by then most of the witnesses are either gone or dead or the Whistleblower runs out of resources to pay for his/her legal costs.
A couple of years ago, the Chief Investigator of our agency and I reported many possible unlawful activities to the Internal Affairs of the California Highway Patrol (CHP, State Police). The Governor’s office did not allow the CHP to initiate an investigation of possible criminal activities that were committed by the Executive officers and Board members (the Governor’s appointed officials) of our agency.
The State Attorney General’s Office refused; due to a conflict of interest or lack of interest, to pursue the investigation. Instead of investigating the criminals, the Governor’s officials ordered two armed investigators to intrude into the sanctuary of my home to conduct an illegal Search and Seizure of my residence. The search and seizure was done without any prior notice or a search warrant.
Up to this writing no explanation was given to me other than I was a “security breech”. Up to this writing, I have no clue whose security I was threatening and why I was removed from my workplace without any due process.
In November 2007, per Senator Yee’s recommendation, an investigation from the Office of the California State Audit was initiated. Again, up to this writing I have no clue what the result of their audit was. Please see the Senator Yee’s and Michado’s Website regarding my compliant at the link below: or Google my name “Mory Atashkar”.
http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp
In conclusion, if our Federal Government is really serious about having people play a vital part in the continuation of exposure and correction of government abuse, it must provide the citizen with credible protection that will allow Whistleblowers to come forward with some confidence help safeguard our democracy.
I have no regret experiencing disaster in speaking out or have no resources to seek justice. Like you, confronting enemy-within is so minuscule in comparison to our soldiers sacrificing their life facing the enemy-abroad.
Thank you for protecting our freedoms.
Mory Atashkar
Vice President of Iranian American Democratic Association