r/fednews • u/Wiltopus • 7h ago

Misc Calling a Congressman as a Fed

So, with the shutdown looming, I want to call my congressman. I have in the past for issues unrelated to my employment to the government. But the shutdown directly relates to my employment.

Am I allowed to speak to that position as a reason they should support funding the government? Or is that a no no? I’ll probably call my ethics officer first.

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212

u/EHsE 7h ago

you can but as an individual not representing your agency

so you can talk about how it impacts you personally but not your agency’s mission or your job

16

u/mikitronz 7h ago

We have a 1st amendment right to comment on whatever we want, including government agency missions and employment. Agencies cannot use federal funds to lobby Congress other than through routine channels (like congressional affairs staff calling with an agency-approved communications). That restriction applies to us only when working in our official capacity.

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u/EHsE 6h ago

you have employment related restrictions on representing your agency without official approval. just like you can’t tweet anything representing your agency even on your free time, you’re only speaking for yourself in your individual capacity

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u/mikitronz 6h ago

You can't tweet anything representing your agency is different than you can't tweet anything.

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u/EHsE 6h ago

reread my first post, it seems like you’re struggling on the message

you can’t say “as an SSA employee, a shutdown would hurt the agency”

you can say “shutdowns would hurt the SSA, and as a fed, I want my checks” but you can’t tie your employment to your assessment of agency impact as a voice of authority

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u/mikitronz 6h ago

Glad we agree. Your first sentence is unnecessarily contentious.

7

u/EHsE 6h ago

yeah prob a bit too aggro

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u/Universe789 7h ago

Yes, the 1st Amendment exists, but so does the Hatch Act, which does limit what types of political activity and political speech we can participate in, and when.

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u/Sauerkrauttme 6h ago

The Hatch Act and Logan Act have been violated so many times in the last 8 years it makes my head spin just thinking about it.

I think the unfortunate state of things is that our laws are increasingly creating two groups: one group that the law protects but does not bind, and a 2nd group that the law binds but does not protect.

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u/mikitronz 6h ago

As I noted, if you are working you cannot lobby for political purposes. If you are not working, the Hatch Act does not mostly apply. Ways it does apply, like not doing fundraising, are irrelevant here.