WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today introduced Carolyn Lerner, a Marylander, who has been nominated for a second term as the Special Counsel of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC). The OSC is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency tasked with safeguarding the merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing.

“In her first term, Ms. Lerner has brought needed stability, continuity and professionalism to the Office of Special Counsel. It was an honor to introduce her to my colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and to fully endorse her nomination. The work of the OSC is critically important to ensuring the federal government can work on behalf of the American people efficiently. Ms. Lerner and her office have the backs of federal employees who make the brave decision to blow the whistle on waste, fraud and abuse.

“During her first term heading the OSC, Ms. Lerner has reduced OSC’s cost to resolve a case by 45%, leading to record levels of productivity. In 2015, OSC resolved more than 6,000 cases, which is more than a 50% increase from the year that Ms. Lerner took office. In 2015, her office secured 268 favorable actions for whistleblowers and other employees, up from 201 favorable actions in 2014.  Prior to her tenure, the number of favorable actions had dropped to 29, and the total had never exceeded 100 in this agency’s 35-year history. Simply put, Ms. Lerner leads by example and I urge my colleagues to allow her to work on behalf of the American people by confirming her for a second term.”

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