National Security Whistleblowers Coalition Demands Congressional Action

[cascadiance]

Hot off the presses from Sibel Edmonds... Congressmen Waxman has sent a letter of support to the National Security Whistleblowers, and said that he would try to keep them protected, unlike Sensenbrenner and the Rethuglican crew that a week ago tried to put in riders in a bill to tear down these protections... Waxman, you rock!

http://news.baou.com/main.php?action=recent&rid=20313

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The National Security Whistleblowers Coalition Demands Congressional Action
Congressman Waxman Pledges Support for National Security Whistleblowers

by Sibel Edmonds

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- (OfficialWire) -- 06/30/05 -- In a letter addressed to the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC), Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), the ranking minority member of the House Government Reform Committee, praised the coalition for its efforts in bringing about real protection for national security whistleblowers, and pledged his support for creation of legislation that would provide meaningful protection for national security whistleblowers.

Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, whistleblowers have felt compelled to come forward in greater numbers to address our nation’s security weaknesses – in fact almost 50 per cent more have sought protection annually under the Whistleblower Protection Act since that terrible event. However, patriotic truth-tellers across a variety of federal agencies have no protection against retaliation when they blow the whistle.

Congress has failed to act to protect federal whistleblowers from the agencies most directly responsible for protecting the national security of the United States, according to spokespeople for the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition at a press conference on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, June 28. Federal employees from the FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA and other intelligence agencies who report deficiencies in national security programs are exempted from protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act. Without whistleblower protections, agencies will continue to quash truth tellers and national security weaknesses will be allowed to fester underneath the growing cloak of secrecy.

"Employees of our intelligence agencies should never be forced to choose between career and conscience when faced with agency wrongdoing," said Sibel Edmonds, Director of the NSWBC. "And without the free flow of information from all government employees to Congress, Congress cannot exercise its Constitutionally-required oversight of the Executive Branch."

[WhiteTara]

1. Go Waxman

Go Waxman
:yourock: