Congressman Robert Garcia Reintroduces Hatch Act Enforcement Bill
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) introduced the House version of the Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act. This legislation will strengthen the safeguards intended to ensure that federal government employees behave in a fair, competent, and nonpartisan manner by requiring that the executive branch report to Congress when it declines to investigate potential violations of the Hatch Act. This bill accompanies an existing bill in the Senate introduced by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M). Full text of the bill is available here.
“Unchecked political influence from powerful individuals like President Trump and Elon Musk poses a real threat to our democracy. When these figures and their associates are allowed to operate without consequences or when they attempt to pressure nonpartisan federal workers to serve their political interests, it puts the integrity of our government on the line,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “We can't just sit back and let those in power break the rules that keep our government fair and unbiased. That is why I am proud to lead this bill in the House to make sure these individuals are held accountable and to ensure the Hatch Act is enforced.”
“The Hatch Act is designed to prevent public officials from using their position for political gain. Now, at this critical moment, the actions of the Trump administration and Elon Musk have shown the American people the importance of accountability and protecting the rule of law,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján. “That is why I am proud to reintroduce my legislation that increases enforcement of the Hatch Act by providing clarity and Congressional oversight for any potential abuses. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation to increase accountability of this administration and future ones, and to ensure Americans can have confidence in the public servants who work for them.”
The Hatch Act was enacted in 1939 to prohibit federal employees from participating in specific political activities. This rule aims to maintain nonpartisanship in the federal government's operations, shield federal employees from political influence, and uphold merit-based promotions over political affiliations. However, the U.S Office of Special Counsel, which investigates and prosecutes violations of the Hatch Act, has at times failed to properly enforce this critical statue.
This legislation is endorsed by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), The Project On Government Oversight (POGO), and End Citizens United.
“President Trump's unceremonious firing of Hampton Dellinger, the Senate confirmed-head of the federal entity charged with investigating and prosecuting alleged violations of the Hatch Act, heightens serious questions about the ability of the Office of Special Counsel to enforce the Hatch Act unbiasedly and in the face of significant outside political pressure," said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). "The Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act would bring much-needed transparency to OSC's deliberations by requiring them to explain to Congress when they do not initiate investigations against political appointees. CREW applauds Rep. Garcia for introducing this legislation and urges Congress to pass it urgently to meet the moment we are in.”
“We need greater transparency at the Office of Special Counsel. This bill will better ensure the OSC can hold career official and political appointees accountable when they violate the law meant to keep partisan politics out of the federal government," said Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, Senior Government Affairs Manager, Project On Government Oversight (POGO).
“The Hatch Act is a critical safeguard that establishes clear standards for federal employees’ political activities, but without real enforcement, its effectiveness is severely undermined,” said End Citizens United Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “Congressman Garcia’s bill takes necessary and commonsense steps to strengthen oversight and increase transparency at the Office of Special Counsel to ensure violations have consequences––an important step in upholding the integrity of our democratic institutions. We’re grateful for Congressman Garcia’s continued leadership and commitment to fighting for a government where federal employees can do their jobs free from political pressure.”
Congressman Garcia is committed to strengthening democracy, increasing government accountability, and ensuring fair, transparent practices across federal agencies. On the Oversight Committee, Congressman Garcia works to improve the integrity and efficiency of government operations. Congressman Garcia has led efforts to hold powerful figures like Elon Musk accountable for attacking federal agencies, undermining institutions, and breaking down safeguards to ensure federal employees behave in a fair and nonpartisan manner. At the first DOGE Subcommittee hearing in February, Congressman Garcia called out Elon Musk for his billions of dollars in conflicts of interest with the federal government and for leading a power grab against our democracy. Some lawyers have stated that Elon Musk may have violated the Hatch Act in February when he wore a “Make America Great Again” hat in the Oval Office during an executive order signing with President Trump.
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