Congress fails to pass whistle-blower rights bill

[December 23, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress failed to pass a bill before adjourning that would have barred most federal departments from punishing employees who report corruption, waste and mismanagement.

The whistle-blower protection bill cleared the House on Wednesday evening, but died in the Senate as time expired on the lame duck session.

In a last-minute effort to win GOP support for the legislation, Democrats removed provisions that would have extended the protections to workers at U.S. intelligence agencies. Republicans had linked the legislation to the WikiLeaks scandal, suggesting that the bill, unless watered down, could lead to further leaks of U.S. secrets.

The bill's backers disputed the claim, saying the bill would not permit public disclosures of classified information.

[Associated Press; By RICHARD LARDNER]

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