H.R. 5578

119th Congress

Reported

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

Sponsored byDemocrat:Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]CA· Introduced 26 September 2025
Open on Congress.gov

1

Cosponsors

13

Actions

0

Amendments

2

Committees

—

Since introduced

Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
Enacted
Step 1 of 0
Latest action

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.

21 July 2026·2 days ago

Summary

Introduced in House · Updated 16 July 2026

Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2025

This bill expands whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors and grant recipients to include the act of refusing to obey an unlawful order and to apply these protections to members of the intelligence community and other governmental employees.

Current law protects employees of federal contractors or grant recipients from a reprisal (i.e., discharge, demotion, or discrimination) for disclosing evidence to Congress or another appropriate official of certain misconduct involving federal contracts, grants, or funds. The bill expands these protections to include an employee's refusal to obey an order that would require the employee to violate a law, rule, or regulation related to any contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. The bill also specifies that these protections apply to employees of federal contractors or grant recipients who are current or former members of the intelligence community or employees of state, local, or tribal governments. 

Further, the bill specifies that these protections may not be waived in a predispute arbitration agreement and renders any such agreement unenforceable.

The bill specifies that an executive branch official may not request a federal contractor or grant recipient to engage in a reprisal against a protected employee, and it authorizes federal agencies to propose disciplinary action against officials that do so. 

Timeline

13 actions

  1. Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 465.

    21 July 2026 · Calendars

  2. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5578.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  3. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  4. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  5. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  6. Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  7. Considered under suspension of the rules.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  8. Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    20 July 2026 · Floor

  9. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    2 December 2025 · Committee

  10. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

    2 December 2025 · Committee

  11. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    2 December 2025 · Committee

  12. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

    2 December 2025 · Committee

  13. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.

    2 December 2025 · Committee

  14. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  15. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  16. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  17. Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  18. Introduced in House

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  19. Introduced in House

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

  20. Introduced in House

    26 September 2025 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

1 cosponsors

Sponsor

Democrat:Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]CA

Cosponsors

  • Republican1100%

Classification

Policy area

Government Operations and Politics

Legislative subjects

Administrative remediesDepartment of DefenseEmployment discrimination and employee rightsNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationPublic contracts and procurement

Committees

2

  • Armed Services Committee

    House · Standing

    • Referred To26 Sept 2025

  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee

    House · Standing

    • Referred To26 Sept 2025
    • Markup By2 Dec 2025
Pelosi Tracker
Follow on XJoin our Discord
PoliticiansBillsPortfoliosPricingAboutLegalTerms of ServicePrivacy Policy
Français
© 2026 - All rights reserved. Powered by Vantara Labs
This website is an independent, third-party platform. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or in any way associated with Nancy Pelosi, her office, or her representatives. Any use of her name is solely for the purpose of discussing publicly available information.The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as, nor should it be construed as, financial or investment advice. The data presented here is sourced from publicly available filings and records. While we strive for accuracy, timeliness, and completeness, we do not guarantee that all information is error-free or current.