Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 1688Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act

INTRO FEB 27· LAST ACTION FEB 27

READING

10MIN

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Passed Senate

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

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Voters should care about this bill because it aims to strengthen the integrity of our federal government. The Hatch Act is crucial for ensuring that the federal workforce remains nonpartisan and that government resources are not used for political campaigns. If this bill becomes law, it means that the agency enforcing these rules, the Office of Special Counsel, would be under greater public and congressional scrutiny, especially when it comes to high-ranking political officials.

This increased transparency could lead to more consistent and rigorous enforcement of the Hatch Act, regardless of who is in power. If it doesn't become law, the current level of transparency and accountability in Hatch Act enforcement, particularly for political appointees, would remain unchanged, potentially leaving room for perceived or actual favoritism and undermining public trust in the impartiality of government operations.

KEY PROVISIONS

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PROVISION 01

Requires the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to submit semi-annual reports to Congress detailing complaints referred for disciplinary action, categorizing them by career or noncareer employees.

This provision increases congressional oversight of the OSC's general enforcement activities and helps track how different types of employees are treated.

PROVISION 02

Mandates an annual report from the OSC to Congress specifically on allegations against noncareer (political) employees, including the number of allegations received and investigated.

This provision shines a spotlight on how the OSC handles potential Hatch Act violations by high-level political appointees, who often face greater public scrutiny.

PROVISION 03

Requires the OSC to provide a confidential addendum to congressional committees listing noncareer employees whose allegations were not investigated and detailing outcomes of cases where processing ceased.

This provision ensures Congress has specific information about cases that are not fully pursued, allowing for deeper oversight of the OSC's decision-making.

PROVISION 04

Requires a detailed public explanation for any decision by the OSC not to present a complaint to the Merit Systems Protection Board against a noncareer employee.

This provision ensures public transparency for enforcement decisions regarding high-ranking political appointees, fostering public trust in the impartiality of the process.

SPONSORSHIP

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 27

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 27

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

HOUSE · INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 1688

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedFeb 27, 2025

Last actionFeb 27, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025

House BillHR 1688Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act

INTRODUCED FEB 27, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 27, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

10 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

med

Requires the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) to submit semi-annual reports to Congress detailing complaints referred for disciplinary action, categorizing them by career or noncareer employees.

This provision increases congressional oversight of the OSC's general enforcement activities and helps track how different types of employees are treated.

high

Mandates an annual report from the OSC to Congress specifically on allegations against noncareer (political) employees, including the number of allegations received and investigated.

This provision shines a spotlight on how the OSC handles potential Hatch Act violations by high-level political appointees, who often face greater public scrutiny.

high

This provision ensures Congress has specific information about cases that are not fully pursued, allowing for deeper oversight of the OSC's decision-making.

high

Requires a detailed public explanation for any decision by the OSC not to present a complaint to the Merit Systems Protection Board against a noncareer employee.

This provision ensures public transparency for enforcement decisions regarding high-ranking political appointees, fostering public trust in the impartiality of the process.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment, and once every 180 days thereafter

First semi-annual report to Congress on complaints referred for disciplinary action

Annually

Annual report to Congress regarding allegations against noncareer employees

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Office of Special Counsel (OSC): An independent federal agency that protects federal employees from prohibited personnel practices, whistleblowing retaliation, and enforces the Hatch Act.
Hatch Act: A federal law that limits the political activities of federal, state, and local government employees working in connection with federally funded programs.
Career employee: A federal employee who is not a political appointee and typically holds a position based on merit and not political affiliation.
Noncareer employee: An individual serving in a high-level position in the executive branch, often appointed by the President, and whose appointment is not based on merit-based procedures; typically, a political appointee.
Covered allegation: An accusation concerning political activity that is prohibited under the Hatch Act.
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB): An independent agency in the executive branch that adjudicates appeals for federal employees, including those facing disciplinary action for Hatch Act violations.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 27, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 27, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

INTROREFERRAL

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Feb 27, 2025

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Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Hatch Act Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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