Bill > HR5998

This bill ensures that during a government shutdown (a "lapse in appropriations"), the Hatch Act Unit of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) can continue to operate. Specifically, the bill classifies services related to investigating potential Hatch Act violations as essential services necessary for protecting human safety or property. The Hatch Act is a federal law that limits political activities of government employees to help ensure that federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan manner, with sections 7323 and 7324 of title 5 of the United States Code governing political activities of federal employees. By deeming these Hatch Act-related services as emergency services under section 1342 of title 31, the bill allows OSC employees to continue working during a government shutdown to investigate potential political misconduct by federal workers, ensuring ongoing oversight and enforcement of ethical standards in the federal workplace.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5998/all-info