((a)) ** .—** Any person subject to this chapter who, with the intent to retaliate against any person for reporting or planning to report a criminal offense, or making or planning to make a protected communication, or with the intent to discourage any person from reporting a criminal offense or making or planning to make a protected communication—

((1)) wrongfully takes or threatens to take an adverse personnel action against any person; or

((2)) wrongfully withholds or threatens to withhold a favorable personnel action with respect to any person;

((b)) ** .—** In this section:

((1)) The term “protected communication” means the following:

((A)) A lawful communication to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General.

((B)) A communication to a covered individual or organization in which a member of the armed forces complains of, or discloses information that the member reasonably believes constitutes evidence of, any of the following:

((i)) A violation of law or regulation, including a law or regulation prohibiting sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination.

((ii)) Gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

((2)) The term “Inspector General” has the meaning given that term in .

((3)) The term “covered individual or organization” means any recipient of a communication specified in clauses (i) through (v) of .

((4)) The term “unlawful discrimination” means discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.