PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 629.
Congressional Research Service
Version 80 · Reported to Senate without amendment · Oct 11, 2018
(Sec. 1) This bill modifies whistle-blower protections for federal employees or applicants who disclose classified national security information, or other protected information, that evidences wrongdoing.
Currently, it is unlawful to retaliate against a federal employee for disclosing classified or protected information of wrongdoing to one of the following recipients: (1) the Office of Inspector General of their agency, (2) the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, or (3) a designated agency employee. This bill expands the list of recipients to whom a federal employee may make a protected disclosure to include a supervisor in the employee's direct chain of command.
People & committees
Rep. Russell, Steve [R-OK-5] · R–OK
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 629.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-346.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 115-346.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7950)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7950)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2196.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7950-7951)
Mr. Russell moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 247.
Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-342.
Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 115-342.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.2196 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.2196 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.2196 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.2196 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.