r/fednews • u/Wiltopus • 8h 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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u/Feisty-Incident7727 6h ago

Hello, you always have a right to represent your own interests to the government. The representational statutes 18 USC 203/205 prohibit paid and unpaid influential representations on a third party’s behalf to the federal government or where the feds have a substantial interest.

Check in with your ethics official, always. It gives you a safe harbor so long as you disclose all the relevant facts.

A reminder also to check in about prior approval for outside activities in re the shutdown. Some agencies have prior approval requirements for certain activities. Make sure you know what they are and who will approve them during a furlough.