; or (B) the government of any political subdivision of a government listed in subparagraph (A). 3. Protecting whistleblowers (a) Prohibition of reprisals (1) In general A protected individual may not be discharged, demoted, blacklisted, prejudiced by any action or lack of action, or otherwise discriminated against in any way (including in the hiring process and including by the threat of any such action or inaction) for— (A) disclosing, being perceived as disclosing, or preparing to disclose (including assisting in disclosing, being perceived as assisting in disclosing, or preparing to assist in disclosing and including a disclosure made in the ordinary course of the duties of the protected individual) to an officer or entity described in paragraph (2) information that the protected individual reasonably believes is evidence of misconduct that violates, obstructs, or undermines any statute, rule, or regulation with respect to any Coronavirus pandemic-related program, project, or activity, including— (i) gross mismanagement of an agency contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant relating to covered funds; (ii) a gross waste of covered funds; (iii) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; (iv) an abuse of authority related to the distribution, implementation, or use of covered funds, including conflict of interest or partiality; and (v) a violation of any statute, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract, subcontract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract or subcontract), grant, or subgrant, awarded or issued relating to covered funds; or (B) refusing to obey an order that the protected individual reasonably believes would require that individual to violate a statute, rule, or regulation with respect to any Coronavirus pandemic-related program, project, or activity. (2) Officers and entities The officers and entities described in this paragraph are— (A) the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee