A resolution designating July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day".

Legislative Summary: S.Res. 340

Title: A resolution designating July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day"

Overview

S.Res. 340 is a Senate resolution intended to formally recognize and honor individuals who report waste, fraud, and abuse within the government. The resolution designates July 30, 2025, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day," establishing a day of recognition to highlight the role whistleblowers play in protecting taxpayer funds and ensuring ethical governance.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of this resolution is to honor the historical precedent of whistleblower protection in the United States. It specifically references a July 30, 1778, action by the Continental Congress—the first piece of whistleblower legislation in U.S. history—which declared it the duty of all persons in U.S. service to report misconduct, frauds, or misdemeanors to the proper authorities.

By establishing this day, the Senate aims to:
* Acknowledge the personal and professional risks (such as career loss and reputation damage) taken by whistleblowers.
* Highlight the financial impact of whistleblowing, noting that such disclosures save taxpayers billions of dollars annually.
* Reaffirm the public policy of encouraging honest, good-faith reporting of crimes and misconduct.

Key Provisions

The resolution outlines two primary mandates:

1. Official Designation: It formally designates July 30, 2025, as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.
2. Agency Implementation: It calls upon the Federal Government to implement the intent of the Founding Fathers by encouraging executive agencies to:
   • Educate: Inform employees, government contractors, and the general public about the legal right of U.S. citizens to report misconduct to the appropriate authorities.
   • Recognize: Formally acknowledge the contributions that whistleblowers make in combating waste, fraud, and legal violations.

Who is Affected?

• Federal Executive Agencies: These entities are encouraged to take active steps to recognize the day and educate their staff.
• Government Employees and Contractors: These individuals will be the primary targets of the educational efforts regarding their legal rights to blow the whistle.
• Whistleblowers: The resolution provides a symbolic and formal validation of their role in maintaining government integrity.

Procedural History

• Introduced: July 29, 2025.
• Committee Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and subsequently discharged by Unanimous Consent on August 1, 2025.
• Final Status: Agreed to in the Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent on August 1, 2025.