While very recent economic news shows some long-overdue strength – gross domestic product grew at an 8.2% annual rate in the third quarter – mounting levels of both public and private debt remain a concern, both for the near future as well for the long-run health of the economy.

A small provision sponsored by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) in the new Energy Policy Act (H.R. 6) would prohibit the Energy Department from reimbursing contractors defending themselves from wrongfully terminated or persecuted whistleblowers. Currently the government can reimburse contractor companies for their legal fees while whistleblowers must pay all expenses on their own. This encourages extended court battles where even after winning in court, a whistleblower could face appeal after appeal with the taxpayers footing the contactor's bill the entire way.