Ron Johnson's whistleblower protection bill passes U.S. Senate

Nearly a year ago, in the heat of a political campaign, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's bid to push through a bill to protect federal whistleblowers from retaliation hit a road block.

Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, blocked the measure after Johnson tried to get it passed through unanimous consent.

Now, with Republicans in charge, Johnson's bill passed the Senate Thursday via unanimous consent and goes on to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Dr. Christopher Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 was named after a 38-year-old psychologist who committed suicide after being fired from the troubled Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Kirkpatrick had raised concerns about patients' medications.

“The dedicated men and women who take a risk to expose wrongdoing and waste in the federal government deserve the respect and support of our nation,” Johnson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, too often these courageous individuals are subjected to retaliation in an attempt to silence them. This must stop, and I’m pleased the Senate acted today to support veterans and whistleblowers across the federal government by passing the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act.”