Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 Becomes Law

President George H.W. Bush signed the Whistleblower Protection Act on April 10, 1989, shielding federal civil-service employees who disclose illegality, gross waste, abuse of authority, or substantial dangers to public health and safety. The law separated the Office of Special Counsel from the Merit Systems Protection Board and empowered the Special Counsel to represent whistleblowers. Federal employees facing retaliation gained the right to seek corrective action through the MSPB.