Republican With Tie to Alleged Spy Blocks Whistleblower Protections

As concerns rise about the Bush administration’s disregard for laws, the House Rules Committee is suffocating efforts to give whistleblowers a voice, and the Committee Chair has a conflict of interest involving an alleged double agent for China who contributed to Republican campaigns.

When the Committee considered ethics reform legislation last week, it blocked a floor vote on reforms that included protections for whistleblowers who warn of failures and abuses in national security programs. Thus, federal employees will continue to be harrassed, fired, and threatened with imprisonment for reporting wrongdoing at federal agencies, and Congressional oversight of the Executive Branch will be conducted with a blindfold. 

With no expectation of protection from retaliation, civil servants with security clearances will remain silent about bureaucratic neglect, aware that their security clearances and jobs can be yanked with little or no due process. Only after another September 11 attack or Gulf Coast hurricane will the public learn the truth about government failures - if ever. The Rules Committee also stripped away a provision that would restrict executive branch secrecy. 

The whistleblower protections were attached to two bills, the Lobbying Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, and the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007.

Notably, the legislation ignored by the Rules Committee would make leaks of
classified information unnecessary by giving federal workers an alternative, taking their concerns to Congress, reports the Government Accountability Project (GAP). Meanwhile, House leaders passed an intelligence authorization bill that condemns leaks of classified information.

The implied architect of the stonewallingis David Dreier (R-CA), the Rules Committee chair. Talk Left reported back in June, 2003, that Dreier routinely uses the committee’s power to block proposals by Democrats. This time, however, the legislation had bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats on the House Government Reform Committee, led by chair Tom Davis (R-VA) and ranking member, Henry Waxman (D-CA). In the Senate, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee also gave bipartisan support to stronger whistleblower protections. 

Whistleblower protections are widely considered critical to holding government accountable, and to avoiding the kinds of bureaucratic dysfunction revealed by the 9/11 Commission hearings. By leaving national security whistleblowers defenseless against hostile bureaucrats determined to ignore reforms recommended by the Commission, Dreier thumbed his nose at 9/11 families and other Americans concerned about security. Nevertheless, Dreier’s website lays claim to a record of "honesty, integrity, and accountability."

In fact, Dreier is all for accountability and whistleblower protections for the private sectorand for United Nations employees. But, he takes an opposite stance on protections for federal government employees. What might explain this ethical U-turn?

Possibly, Dreier and other Republicans fear potential testimony by NSA whistleblower Russell Tice, who reported that Katrina Leung might be a double agent, spying for the People’s Republic of China. Leung, notably, was a generous contributor to Dreier’s campaign and the Republic party. Due to "prosecutorial misconduct," however, Leung escaped the most serious charges against her. Talking Points Memo offers a detailed review of Leung’s activities.

GAP reports that Representatives Davis and Waxman have asked for H.R. 5112 to be considered as stand alone legislation. Another bill offering whistleblower protections, H.R. 1317, the "Federal Employee Protection of Disclosures Act," also deserves review as a stand alone bill [GAP]. But, the bills must be passed before Congress goes on summer recess in July, or the legislation may die.

Americans who are concerned about government corruption and incompetence may want to contact Rep. Dreier and other members of the House Rules Committee to demand a full and immediate House vote on whistleblower protections.

To paraphrase a line from "All The President’s Men," all that’s at stake are the integrity of government programs and the security of our nation.

Rep. Dreier can be contacted at his D.C. office at (202) 225-2305, or at his California office, (626) 852-2626. Information on other members of the Rules Committee is available from Congress.org.