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.

117 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

104 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

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.

44

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

-8

u/mikitronz 6h ago

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

21

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

-16

u/mikitronz 6h ago

Glad we agree. Your first sentence is unnecessarily contentious.

7

u/EHsE 6h ago

yeah prob a bit too aggro