Comment from Diane Brown

Office of Personnel Management,As a taxpayer and member of the public, I am deeply concerned about the chilling effect this proposed nondisclosure agreement would have on federal whistleblowers. While OPM claims the NDA preserves whistleblower protections for disclosures to Congress or inspector generals, employment law experts have correctly noted that these internal channels are often overburdened, politically compromised, or simply ineffective. History has repeatedly shown that meaningful accountability often requires disclosures to reach the press and the public directly.The timing and scope of this proposal raise serious questions about its true purpose. Federal agencies already maintain extensive policies governing classified and privileged information. This rule extends restrictions to unclassified material that reveals when an administration is causing harm to the public interest. Furthermore, the fact that the NDA would remain in effect even after employees leave government service creates a permanent gag order that could deter qualified professionals from public service altogether. I respectfully request that OPM withdraw this proposal and instead strengthen existing whistleblower protections.DianeNew York