Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 11, 2020

Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the disclosure of a whistle-blower's identity. Specifically, the bill prohibits a federal employee or contractor from disclosing the identity of a whistle-blower or identifying information about a whistle-blower. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.

Additionally, the bill authorizes a whistle-blower to file a civil suit against a federal employee or contractor who discloses or threatens to disclose the whistle-blower's identify.

The bill includes exceptions for disclosures that are made to other government employees and permitted under current law.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15] · D–CA

Committees

Judiciary Committee

6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 11, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in House
Jun 11, 2020
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 11, 2020 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1265 · Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.7185 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.

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Discuss H.R.7185, 116th Congress: Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7185

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7185/BILLS-116hr7185ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:30:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.7185 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.7185 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.

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Discuss H.R.7185, 116th Congress: Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7185

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7185/BILLS-116hr7185ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:30:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7185 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.7185 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7185, 116th Congress: Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7185

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7185/BILLS-116hr7185ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:30:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7185 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.7185 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7185, 116th Congress: Enhancing Protections for Whistleblower Anonymity Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7185

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-06-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7185/BILLS-116hr7185ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:30:24Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7185 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.