Victory for Whistleblower Protections: Following Ways and Means Oversight, IRS Informs Employees of Their Right to Make Protected Disclosures to Congress

Press Release

"The importance of informing whistleblowers about their rights under the law is vital. The Ways and Means Committee has been conducting rigorous oversight of the extremely troubling allegations of retaliation against the IRS whistleblowers who made disclosures to the Committee, which includes inquiries about communications to IRS employees that neglected to tell employees about their rights to make such disclosures. The IRS must be clear with its employees that they have a constitutional and statutory right to make protected disclosures to Congress. Period. Full stop. Any guidance that does not communicate their ability to do so are chilling and make whistleblowers afraid that they will face consequences for making a disclosure to Congress. Such actions by agency officials are unacceptable.

One of my first acts as Chairman was to announce a hotline for whistleblowers, and since then, we have received information from IRS employees alleging misconduct and claims of retaliation for speaking out and doing the right thing. I am glad that Commissioner Werfel finally issued a memo with updated guidance, recognizing Congress's proper role in holding agencies accountable and protecting whistleblowers."

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