WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 4646 · 119th Congress

Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025

Passed HouseHousing and Community Development
IntroducedJul 23, 2025
Passed HouseSep 15, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The House passed it 424–0. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 4646 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Sep 16, 2026).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Whistleblower protections for Department of Housing and Urban Development contracts
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Whistleblower Protection Act of 2025

    This bill expands existing whistleblower protections for employees of federal contractors or grant recipients to apply to all contracts and grants funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regardless of the date of execution.

    Current law protects employees of federal contractors or grant recipients from a reprisal (i.e., discharge, demotion, or discrimination) for disclosing evidence to Congress or another appropriate official of certain misconduct involving federal contracts, grants, or funds. This provision currently applies only to contracts and grants signed or modified after the law took effect in 2013. The bill expands these protections to apply to HUD contracts and grants signed before the law was enacted.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Sep 1, 2026).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Sep 16, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.Senate
    2. Sep 15, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    3. Sep 15, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 0 (Roll no. 303). (text: CR H5608) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    4. Sep 15, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 0 (Roll no. 303). (text: CR H5608) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    5. Sep 15, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5823-5824)House floor actions
    6. Sep 14, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
    7. Sep 14, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4646.House floor actions
    8. Sep 14, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5608-5609)House floor actions
    9. Sep 14, 2026Ms. De La Cruz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
    10. Sep 1, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 686.House floor actions
    11. Sep 1, 2026Committee on Oversight and Gov Reform discharged.House floor actions
    12. Sep 1, 2026Committee on Oversight and Gov Reform discharged.Library of Congress
    13. Sep 1, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-786, Part I.House floor actions
    14. Sep 1, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-786, Part I.Library of Congress
    15. Dec 17, 2025Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 51 - 0.House committee actions
    16. Dec 17, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    17. Dec 16, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    18. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.House floor actions
    19. Jul 23, 2025Referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.House floor actions
    20. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    21. Jul 23, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Sep 15, 2026 · HousePassed 424–0
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
      R 210 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 213 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Warren Davidson R-OH-8
    • Josh Gottheimer D-NJ-5
    • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
    • Daniel Meuser R-PA-9
    • John W. Rose R-TN-6
    • Eugene Simon Vindman D-VA-7
    • Nikema Williams D-GA-5