Given a chance to cut back on future leaks, the Senate balks:

The U.S. Senate has refused to protect whistleblowers in intelligence agencies.

The Senate last week passed a markedly different version of whistleblower protection legislation than the U.S. House of Representatives had previously approved, resulting in a call by one congressman for the creation of an independent office to monitor intelligence agency whistleblowers, GovExec.com reported Monday.

On a 96-0 vote, the Senate on Thursday passed a bill listed as S. 494 that would provide expanded protection to most federal whistleblowers, but would not cover employees at several intelligence agencies. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, co-sponsored the legislation.

You’ll never stop partisan leakers, but there are legitimate blue-badged whistleblowers that need this kind of help. Few have the intestinal fortitude to go all the way, but they should have the option.

About the Author

Michael Tanji

Michael Tanji spent nearly 20 years in the US intelligence community. Trained in both SIGINT and HUMINT disciplines he has worked at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. At various points in his career he served as an expert in information warfare, computer network operations, computer forensics, and indications and warning. A veteran of the US Army, Michael has served in both strategic and tactical assignments in the Pacific Theater, the Balkans, and the Middle East.