(a) No person within the Department of Commerce may restrict a NOAA Corps officer from making a lawful communication to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General.

(b) A NOAA Corps officer shall be free from reprisal for making or preparing or being perceived as making or preparing a protected communication.

(c) Any NOAA Corps officer or employee of the Department of Commerce who has the authority to take, direct others to take, or recommend or approve any personnel action shall not, under such authority, take or threaten to take a personnel action, or withhold or threaten to withhold a personnel action, as reprisal against any NOAA Corps officer for making or preparing or being perceived as making or preparing a protected communication.