Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act of 2026

What this does

This bill broadens the two federal laws that shield contractor whistleblowers from retaliation, one covering Defense Department and NASA contracts and one covering other federal contracts. It replaces the protected class of "employee" with a wider "protected individual" that covers contractors, subcontractors, grantees, subgrantees, their current and former employees, personal services contractors, and state, tribal, and territorial governments holding such contracts. It adds a new protected act, refusing to obey an order that would require violating a law, rule, or regulation tied to a contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant. It bars these rights, remedies, and forum from being waived by any agreement, including a predispute arbitration agreement. It also states that executive branch officials have no authority to request a reprisal and authorizes proposing disciplinary action against an official who makes such a request.