Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle were outraged over the Department of Energy’s (DOE) potentially illegal retaliation against a whistleblower who provided congressional staff with information.
Democrats and Republicans on the House science committee agreed the DOE probably intimidated and fired Dr. Noelle Metting, a radiation biologist at the agency, for talking to Congress about the department’s Low Dose Radiation Research Program. If true, DOE violated federal laws against whistleblower retaliation.
Democrats joined Republicans in criticizing DOE’s treatment of Metting.
“I think I know what bad management looks like,” Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer said during the hearing. “I strongly support the right of federal employees to petition the government and speak openly about their work without fear of retaliation. I strongly recommend that the Department take a closer look at how they handle situations like the one we’re talking about today.”
“Unfortunately, what we will learn at today’s hearing is not an isolated incident,” echoed Georgia Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk during the hearing. “It fits a pattern of intentional misinformation from Obama Administration officials.”
