WASHINGTON, D.C. | March 26, 2025 — On March 26th 2025, Senator Grassley and Senator Warren took a significant step by sponsoring the reintroduction of the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act. The bipartisan bill aims to restore anti-retaliation protections to internal corporate whistleblowers. It provides other commonsense measures to strengthen the hugely successful SEC Whistleblower Program.
Since its inception, the SEC Whistleblower Program has recouped over $6.3 billion in sanctions. The program’s strong anti-retaliation protections incentivize whistleblowers and are largely responsible for its success. However, a 2018 court ruling stripped these anti-retaliation protections from individuals who report to internal compliance programs. If passed, the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act will restore these protections by expanding the definition of “whistleblower” to include internal corporate whistleblowers.
Andrew Feller, Senior Special Counsel at the leading whistleblower law firm Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, commented: “Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation, incentivizing qualified whistleblowers with timely awards, and prohibiting companies from muzzling would-be-whistleblowers are the three core features of the SEC Whistleblower Program. The SEC Whistleblower Reform Act is a critically important piece of legislation because it bolsters all three.”
The National Whistleblower Center has launched a campaign to advocate for the passage of the reintroduced bill. We urge our supporters to take action immediate today by contacting their Representatives, Senators, the White House, and by thanking the bill’s sponsor and co-sponsors.
Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto Partner Stephen M. Kohn, who also serves as chairman of the NWC’s Board, is available to comment. For more information, contact NWC at programs@whistleblowers.org.
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NWC is the leading nonprofit working with whistleblowers worldwide to fight corruption and protect people and the environment. For over 30 years, NWC has won policies to protect whistleblowers from retaliation and reward them for helping deliver criminal and civil penalties against wrongdoers. It is a trusted advocate for whistleblowers and a key player in the fight for government accountability and transparency.