February 26, 2008

Dear Senator,

This letter is to express our support for the Commerce Committee’s leadership in including “best practices” whistleblower protections in S. 2663, legislation to strengthen the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This is vitally needed legislation to protect America’s families, and whistleblower protection is a necessary enforcement cornerstone for the promise of reform to be reflected in reality.

The whistleblower provision in S. 2663 applied equivalent witness protection rights for those defending America against unsafe products to those Congress already approved unanimously last year in the 9/11 law for individuals who challenge public safety threats in the ground transportation industries. The Congress also adopted similar rights in the defense authorization law for those challenging corruption by defense contractors. Those are incredibly valuable reforms, but there is little doubt that threats from unsafe toys, household appliances, tools and other products pose a real threat to our families every day. In order for this reform to work most effectively, employees need to know they will be protected for reporting unsafe practices by their employers.

By using the freedom to warn, whistleblowers serve the public by preventing avoidable tragedies. There is no excuse for silence enforced by fear. Such a climate sustains risks of injury to our families when we buy birthday presents, baby blankets and linens, child seats, kitchen appliances, or any other products in retail commerce. Whistleblowers are the best possible resource for early detection, if they can safely act.

This is an enforcement clause worth continued bi-partisan support. In fact, nearly every Senator has supported analogous anti-retaliation provisions in every relevant, recorded vote since passage of the 2002 Sarbanes Oxley law. America needs genuine whistleblower protection even more for product safety, which is a real and present everyday concern for all Americans. Those who defend the public must have a fighting chance to defend themselves.
We urge you to support final passage of this legislation, which includes protections for the employees who protect our families.

Sincerely,

David Arkush, Congress Watch
Public Citizen

Ed Mierzwinski, Consumer Program Director
U.S. Public Interest Research Group

Rachel Weintraub, Director of Product Safety and Senior Counsel
Consumer Federation of America

Ellen Bloom, Director of Federal Policy
Consumers Union

Sally Greenberg, Executive Director
National Consumers League

Francesca T. Grifo, Ph.D. Director, Scientific Integrity Program
Union of Concerned Scientists

Danielle Brian, Executive Director
Project On Government Oversight

Steve Kohn, President
National Whistleblower Center

Jeb White, Executive Director
Taxpayers Against Fraud

Sean Moulton, Director
Federal Information Policy
OMB Watch

Paul Brown, Government Relations Manager
National Research Center for Women & Families

Conrad Martin, Executive Director
Fund for Constitutional Government

Jeff Ruch, Executive Director
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

Lynne Bradley, Director
Office of Government Relations
American Library Association

Mary Alice Baish, Acting Washington Affairs Representative
American Association of Law Libraries

Patrice McDermott, Director
OpenTheGovernment.org

Terisa E. Chaw
Executive Director
National Employment Lawyers Association

James C. Turner, Executive Director
HALT, Inc. -- An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform

Michael Ostrolenk, National Director
Liberty Coalition

Steven Aftergood, Project Director
Federation of American Scientists

Dane von Breichenruchardt, President
U.S. Bill of Rights Foundation

Linda Lewis, Director
Whistleblowers USA

Marsha Coleman Adebayo, Chair
No Fear Coalition

Arthuretta Martin
Federal Employees Against Discrimination

Donald Soeken, President
Integrity International

Matthew Fogg, Co-Chair
NoFEAR Coaltion
Board Member - Amnesty International USA

Carol Bernstein
American Association of University Professors, AZ Conference

Jesselyn Radack, former DOJ Whistleblower
Coalition for Civil Rights and Democratic Liberties

Paul Taylor
Truckers Justice Center

Daphne Wysham, Director
Sustainable Energy and Economy Network

Evelyn Hurwich, President
Circumpolar Conservation Union

Former Special Agent Darlene Fitzgerald
Patrick Henry Center

Scott Armstrong, President
Information Trust

Betsy Combier, President and Editor
Parentadvocates.org

Zena D. Crenshaw, Executive Director
National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project, Inc.

Andrew D. Jackson, Asst. Campaign Coordinator
Focus On Indiana

Michael R. McCray, Esq., Chairperson
The 3.5.7 Commission

Ron Marshall, Chairman
The New Grady Coalition

Gwen Marshall, co-Chairman
Georgians for Open Government

George Anderson
Ethics in Government Group (EGG)

Dr. Roland Chalifoux
The Semmelweis Society International (SSI)

Dr. Jim Murtagh
Doctors for Open Government

Gil Mileikowsky, M.D.
Alliance for Patient Safety

Helen Salisbury, M.D.
Health Integrity Project

Kevin Kuritzky
The Student Health Integrity Project (SHIP)