Is President Obama Wrong in Objecting to Whistle-Blower Protections?

On Thursday, President Barack Obama signed into law signed H.R. 4310, the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013."

By signing the bill, President Obama "...made ineffective, language ... to protect whistle-blowers who are employed by government contractors or subcontractors," said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo).

“The President’s objection to whistle-blower protections for private sector employees who expose waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs is deeply disturbing," said Speier. "Congress has the authority and responsibility to oversee the operations of the executive branch. It is our duty to ensure the laws we create are faithfully executed, and that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly."

According to The Moderate Voice, Obama's concerns were "several whistle-blower provisions that protected people who provide certain executive branch information to Congress from reprisals — including employees of contractors who uncover waste or fraud."

In the document, Obama notes "Certain provisions in the Act threaten to interfere with my constitutional duty to supervise the executive branch."

He goes on to say "I will interpret those sections consistent with my authority to direct the heads of executive departments to supervise, control, and correct employees' communications with the Congress in cases where such communications would be unlawful or would reveal information that is properly privileged or otherwise confidential."

Responded Speier: “It is because of the brave actions of contractor employees like James Brady that taxpayers were able to recover $80 million in fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without whistleblowers, Congress cannot effectively perform our constitutionally implied oversight obligations."

What do you think? Is the President overreaching his authority by suggesting his own interpretation of the role of whistle-blowers? Is Jackie Speier justified in being "deeply disturbed?" Or is the President correct in expressing concern about privileged and confidential information at the executive level?

Give us your opinion in the comments section below.