Seven Major Campaigns to Support Whistleblowers:
The 118th Congress will end on January 3, 2025. Thus, there is one year remaining for Congress and the current-sitting executive officers to act on several pending whistleblower initiatives. These initiatives are based on the plain meaning of laws already passed by Congress and likewise have strong bipartisan support. The seven major campaigns are individually or collectively essential for the implementation of the U.S. Anti-Corruption Strategy. There is political interference by those who stand to lose when whistleblowers are incentivized and protected. These reforms should be quickly approved, but resistant executive agencies stall or block their approval. A timid Congress also contributes to the delay.
Action #1 of 2024 Call on FinCEN to Enact AML Regulations
Passed in December 2022, the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Whistleblower Improvement Act is the most important anti-corruption law passed in decades. The law establishes a whistleblower award program for individuals who report money laundering. It also targets sanctions violations.
Action #2 of 2024 DOJ must accept Confidential/Anonymous Disclosures
The Department of Justice still hasn’t implemented procedures for dealing with anonymous and confidential whistleblowers. These whistleblowers report violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. The Department has been legally obligated to do so since 2021.
Action #3 of 2024 Strengthen the SEC Whistleblower Program
Urge Congress to strengthen the SEC Whistleblower Program. Protect internal corporate whistleblowers by passing the bipartisan SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2023. Also, call on the SEC to broaden its definition of a voluntary whistleblower.
Action #4 of 2024 Support the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) fails to compensate whistleblowers promptly. These delays, which the IRS admits are average over 10 years, cause untold hardship to whistleblowers. For example, many of them have lost their jobs and careers. So, their only hope for economic survival is the compensation promised under law.
Action #5 of 2024: Fix FCA loopholes
Thanks for all your support for the seven major campaigns so far! We’ve completed over half of our actions to kick off 2024, and we only have three more to go! Today’s action is very important because the qui tam provision of the False Claims Act is under attack. Whistleblower reports are responsible for over 70% of recovered assets under the FCA. (amounting to over $50 billion)
Action #6 of 2024 Strengthen the CFTC Whistleblower Program
The CFTC Whistleblower Program is in danger of being a victim of its own success. The CFTC created a fund when it introduced its whistleblower rewards program. The rewards program pays whistleblowers using the sanctions collected from whistleblower tips. But, this fund was capped at $100 million. Since the program started just over a decade ago, many whistleblowers have come forth. As a result, this fund is almost out.
Action #7 of 2024 Make National Whistleblower Day a Federal Day of Observance
Today marks the end of our seven major campaigns of action to start the new year. Today’s action is significant. As many of you know, each year, the National Whistleblower Center holds a celebration for National Whistleblower Day. Congress recognizes the day each year. Still, they have not taken action to permanently recognize July 30 as National Whistleblower Day.
Click the links to learn more and take action on the seven major campaigns to support whistleblowers. Thank you for your continued support.
Recognized by the NWC, Tracie Burke is author of Motion to Quash. M2Q supports the Whistleblower Protection Act. If you would like to support journalism in the public interest, click here to donate. Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC .
